Source Files

This section introduces the source files that you can use to create a Symbian application.

Source files are divided into following groups:

  • Source code files

  • Resource files

  • Graphics files

  • Registration files

Source files are compiled during the build operation, as follows:

  • Source code file .cpp is compiled into an executable file (.exe).

  • Resource file .rss is compiled into .rsc.

  • Graphics file .svg is compiled into .mif.

  • Registration file _reg.rss is compiled into _reg.rsc.

Source code files

Source code files contain the code used in your application. Source code files include:

  • h – header files contain the class declarations for the classes used in the source files.

  • cpp – cpp source code files containing the classes used in the application implementation.

  • pan – file containing enumerations for panic codes.

    For information on panic codes.

Resource files

In the Symbian platform, resource files are used to define GUI components such as status panes, menu bars, views, and dialogs, among other structures.

The following resource files are typically used in Symbian applications:

  • .rls – localisation files contain the strings used in the application UI. The Symbian platform naming convention is loc and lNN, where NN is a language code from the Symbian locale IDs.

  • .rss – resource files used for GUI components in the application.

  • .hrh – resource header file used to define flag values.

For more information, see Managing resource files.

Graphics files

Graphic files contain the graphics used in your application. Usually, you need at least files for the icons used in the grid and list menus. Graphic files might include:

  • bmp – bitmap (pixel) files for graphics used in the application and for the grid map and navigation pane.

  • svg - SVG-tiny (vector) files for graphics used in the application and for the grid map and navigation pane.

    Note:

    The SDK provides the SVG to SVGT Converter tool for converting SVG to SVG-tiny (SVG-T) files in the SDK. For more information on the tool, see the SDK tools documentation.

For an example of using graphic files, see HelloWorldBasic Graphics Files.

Registration files

Registration files contain information on registering applications to make them visible in the application menu and to provide other information to the underlying operating system.

  • .xml - backup registration file.

  • _reg.rss – resource file used for creating registration resource files. For more information seeManaging resource files.

Parent topic: Symbian Project Files
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