This book describes a set of developer tools that you can use to create, edit, process, and compile Palm OS® resources--forms, menus, text strings, and controls--for Palm OS applications.
In this book, you learn how to use the following tools:
-
GenerateXRD
- This tool converts existing Palm OS PRC files and Macintosh RSRC files into an XML-based file format (called an XRD file). This book describesGenerateXRD
version 1.3. - Palm OS Resource Editor - With this tool, you can create and edit XML resource description (XRD) files.
-
PalmRC
- This tool compiles XML resource description (XRD) files. This book describesPalmRC
version 1.3. -
PRCMerge
- This tool links the output ofPalmRC
with your compiled source code to produce a Palm OS binary file (a PRC file). This book describesPRCMerge
version 1.3. -
PRCCompare
- This tool compares two Palm OS binary resource files and produces a report describing the differences between the files. This book describesPRCCompare
version 1.3. -
hOverlay
- This tool allows you to create localized versions of your Palm OS application. This book describeshOverlay
version 1.3. -
PRCSign
andPRCCert
- These tools allow you to add security features to your Palm OS application. This book describesPRCSign
andPRCCert
version 1.0.
How This Book Is Organized
The first chapter of this book provides an overview of the resource tools.
- Chapter 1, "Introducing Palm OS Resource Tools," introduces you to a set of developer tools that you can use to create, edit, process, and compile Palm OS resources.
The remaining chapters each cover a tool in the resource toolset.
- Chapter 2, "Converting Existing Resources into XML Resource Files," explains how you can use the
GenerateXRD
tool to convert your existing Macintosh RSRC files into XML-based resource description files (XRD files). - Chapter 3, "Compiling XML Resource Files," tells you how to use
PalmRC
to compile XRD files. - Chapter 4, "Building a Palm OS Application," covers information on linking your compiled XRD file with your compiled source code to produce a Palm OS application (a PRC file).
- Chapter 5, "Comparing Palm OS Resource Database Files," describes how to use
PRCCompare
to identify the differences between two Palm OS binary resource files. - Chapter 6, "Localizing a Palm OS Application," discusses how to create overlay resources for Palm OS applications using the
hOverlay
tool. - Chapter 7, "Securing a Palm OS Application," explains how to use PalmSource's application security tools,
PRCSign
andPRCCert
.
Palm OS Developer Suite Documentation
The following tools books are part of the Palm OS Developer Suite package:
Additional Resources
- Documentation
PalmSource publishes its latest versions of this and other documents for Palm OS developers at
- Training
PalmSource and its partners host training classes for Palm OS developers. For topics and schedules, check
- Knowledge Base
The Knowledge Base is a fast, web-based database of technical information. Search for frequently asked questions (FAQs), sample code, white papers, and the development documentation at