How can I embed text files as resources in native Windows applications?

Embedding Text Files as Resources in Native Windows Applications

In native Windows programming, it is possible to embed text files into the binary as resources, allowing for convenient access and handling within the application. This is achieved through the creation of user-defined resources.

To embed a text file, create a resource file (.rc) and add entries in the following format:

nameID typeID filename

For example:

IDC_MYTEXTFILE TEXTFILE "mytextfile.txt"

where:

• IDC_MYTEXTFILE is a unique 16-bit identifier for the resource
• TEXTFILE is a user-defined resource type (using a number greater than 255)
• "mytextfile.txt" is the path to the text file

To load and access the embedded text file during runtime:

#include <windows.h>
#include <cstdio>
#include "resource.h"

void LoadFileInResource(int name, int type, DWORD& size, const char*& data)
{
    HMODULE handle = GetModuleHandle(NULL);
    HRSRC rc = FindResource(handle, MAKEINTRESOURCE(name), MAKEINTRESOURCE(type));
    HGLOBAL rcData = LoadResource(handle, rc);
    size = SizeofResource(handle, rc);
    data = static_cast<const char*>(LockResource(rcData));
}

int main()
{
    DWORD size = 0;
    const char* data = NULL;
    LoadFileInResource(IDC_MYTEXTFILE, TEXTFILE, size, data);

    char* buffer = new char[size+1];
    memcpy(buffer, data, size);
    buffer[size] = 0;
    printf("Contents of text file: %s\n", buffer);

    delete[] buffer;
    return 0;
}

Note that the embedded data cannot be modified directly due to its presence within the executable binary. To modify the resource, use the BeginUpdateResource(), UpdateResource(), and EndUpdateResource() functions.

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