BRCC32.EXE, the Resource Compiler

BRCC32 is the command-line version of the resource compiler. It accepts a resource script file (.RC) as input and produces a resource object file (.RES) as output.

RAD Studio provides a choice in resource compilers. You can choose to use either BRCC32 or RC (the Microsoft SDK resource compiler) on the ProjectOptionsResource Compiler dialog box.

Command Line Syntax

BRCC32 [<options>] <filename>

To display command line help, enter:

brcc32

Or add the help flag:

brcc32 -h

BRCC32 Command Options

Option	Description
@<responsefile>	Takes instructions from the specified command file.
-c <codepage>	Uses the specified code page for resource translation. If -c is not used, the default ANSI code page is used.
-d<name>[=<string>]	Defines a preprocessor symbol.
-fo<filename>	Renames the output .RES file. (By default, BRCC32 creates the output .RES file with the same name as the input .RC file.)
-i<path>	Adds one or more directories (separated by semicolons) to the include search path.
-l<language>	Specifies default language.
-m	Indicates that the code page specified with the -c switch contains double-byte character set (DBCS) characters.
-r	This switch is ignored. It is included for compatibility with other resource compilers.
-v	Prints progress messages (verbose).
-x	Deletes the current include path.
-h or ?	Displays help.
-16	Builds a 16–bit resource.
-32	Builds a 32–bit resource.

BRCC32 predefines common resource-related Windows constants such as WS_VISIBLE and BS_PUSHBUTTON. Also, two special compiler-related symbols are defined: RC_INVOKED and WORKSHOP_INVOKED. These symbols can be used in the source text in conjunction with conditional preprocessor statements to control compilation.

For example, the following construct can greatly speed up compilation:

Copy Code

#ifndef WORKSHOP_INVOKED#include “windows.h” #endif

Downward Compatibility

The following syntax and options are supported for downward compatibility:

Option	Description
-16	Builds 16–bit .RES files.
-32	Builds 32–bit .RES files.
-31	Builds Windows 3.1–compatible .RES files.
-w32	Builds Win32–compatible .RES files.