How to use the command glib-compile-resources (with examples)

The glib-compile-resources command is used to compile resource files, such as images, into a binary resource bundle. These compiled resource bundles can then be linked into GTK applications using the GResource API. This command provides a convenient way to package and access resources within an application.

Use case 1: Compile resources referenced in file.gresource.xml to a .gresource binary

Code:

glib-compile-resources file.gresource.xml

Motivation:

The motivation for using this example is to compile the resources referenced in the file.gresource.xml file into a binary format that can be easily accessed and loaded by a GTK application. By compiling the resources into a binary, it reduces the overhead of loading individual resource files during runtime, resulting in faster performance.

Explanation:

• glib-compile-resources is the command used to compile resources into a binary bundle.
• file.gresource.xml is the XML file that contains the references to the resources to be compiled.

Example output:

The resources referenced in file.gresource.xml are compiled into a binary resource bundle file.

Use case 2: Compile resources referenced in file.gresource.xml to a C source file

Code:

glib-compile-resources --generate-source file.gresource.xml

Motivation:

The motivation for using this example is to generate a C source file that contains the compiled resources. This can be useful for cases where direct access to the resources in their binary format is required, or for embedding the resources into the source code of the GTK application.

Explanation:

• --generate-source is the argument used to specify that a C source file should be generated.
• file.gresource.xml is the XML file that contains the references to the resources to be compiled.

Example output:

A C source file is generated, which contains the compiled resources referenced in file.gresource.xml.

Use case 3: Compile resources in file.gresource.xml to a chosen target file, with .c, .h, or .gresource extension

Code:

glib-compile-resources --generate --target=file.ext file.gresource.xml

Motivation:

The motivation for using this example is to compile the resources referenced in file.gresource.xml and specify a target file with a custom extension. This allows for more flexibility in naming the output file based on the specific requirements of the GTK application.

Explanation:

• --generate is the argument used to specify that a target file should be generated.
• --target=file.ext is the parameter used to specify the target file name and extension. It can be any combination of .c, .h, or .gresource.
• file.gresource.xml is the XML file that contains the references to the resources to be compiled.

Example output:

The resources referenced in file.gresource.xml are compiled and saved to the target file with the specified extension.

Use case 4: Print a list of resource files referenced in file.gresource.xml

Code:

glib-compile-resources --generate-dependencies file.gresource.xml

Motivation:

The motivation for using this example is to retrieve a list of resource files that are referenced in the file.gresource.xml file. This can be useful for verifying the correctness of the resource references or for understanding the dependencies of the GTK application.

Explanation:

• --generate-dependencies is the argument used to specify that a list of resource files should be generated.
• file.gresource.xml is the XML file that contains the references to the resources.

Example output:

A list of resource files referenced in file.gresource.xml is printed to the console, indicating the dependencies of the GTK application.

Conclusion:

The glib-compile-resources command is a powerful tool for compiling resources into a binary bundle for use in GTK applications. The different use cases demonstrated above highlight the versatility of the command, allowing for customization of the output and retrieval of valuable information about the resources. By using glib-compile-resources, developers can efficiently manage and utilize resources in their GTK applications, resulting in improved performance and convenience.