Resource files

All applications require a resource file. This:

• Defines user interface elements including application furniture such as menus, and custom dialogs.

  The resource file format provides a more economical format than C++ for specifying GUI elements—any hard coding should be done here. However, applications can also use C++ to modify dynamically user interface elements defined in resource files.

  However the recommended way to create controls is to use the .rss file as much as it is possible.

• Contains text strings, which can be replaced for internationalization.

  This makes translation easier, because all language-dependent data is in one place.

The GUI APIs provide resource structures, found in .rh files. UIQ applications use structures defined in Eikon.rh, Uikon.rh and Qikon.rh. For examples of resource file usage, see The application UI screen furniture and the UIQ GUI controls catalogue.

An application's resource file typically has the same name as the application, with the extension .rss. The framework reads the resource file with this name, by default, when the application is started; see How to configure the application resource file.