Resgen, short for Resource File Generator, is a tool used to convert resource files (.resx) into binary resource files (.resources) and vice versa. This tool is particularly useful in .NET development for managing resources such as strings, images, and other data that need to be localized or managed separately from code.

What is Resgen?

Resgen.exe is a command-line utility provided by Microsoft as part of the .NET Framework SDK. It allows developers to convert .resx files, which are XML-based resource files, into .resources files that can be embedded into .NET assemblies. This conversion is essential for applications that require localization or need to manage resources efficiently.

How to Use Resgen in Windows

To use Resgen in a Windows environment, you need to have the .NET SDK installed on your machine. Resgen is typically located in the SDK's bin directory.

Example 1: Converting a .resx File to a .resources File

1. Create a .resx File:

   Create a simple .resx file named example.resx with the following content:

   <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
   <root>
    <data name="WelcomeMessage" xml:space="preserve">
      <value>Welcome to our application!</value>
    </data>
   </root>

2. Use Resgen to Convert the File:

   Open the Command Prompt and navigate to the directory containing example.resx. Run the following command:

   resgen example.resx

   This command will generate a example.resources file in the same directory.

Example 2: Converting a .resources File Back to a .resx File

If you need to convert a .resources file back to a .resx file, you can do so with Resgen as well.

1. Convert the File:

   Assuming you have a example.resources file, run the following command:

   resgen example.resources example_converted.resx

   This command will create a example_converted.resx file from the example.resources file.

Additional Options and Usage

• Specifying Output Directory:

  You can specify an output directory for the converted file by providing the full path in the command:

  resgen example.resx C:\Output\example.resources

• Batch Conversion:

  Resgen can also handle batch conversions using wildcard characters. For example, to convert all .resx files in a directory:

  resgen *.resx

Conclusion

Resgen is a powerful tool for managing resource files in .NET applications. By understanding how to convert between .resx and .resources files, developers can better manage localization and resource embedding in their applications.