Why Should we use Resource Files in defining UIs ?

Symbian (and its Licensees S60 and UIQ) provides a lot of the infrastructure for an application in Symbian.C++ that is already prebuilt[like MFC] so it is not really practical to reinvent the wheel with more code to rebuild the controls.

Additionally to provide a consistent framework across devices, the underlying OS uses a framework calls LAF which dictates how controls should look and where they should be on the screen so that there is a common style to all applications.

Also Keeping source code and resource files separate, which gives lots of advantages
1. easy localization,
2. developer only need to recompile resource files if there are any changes in the UI elements.

QT - Windows CE Application Framework

Qt for Windows® CE enables developers to write rich and high performance applications using an intuitive API available for a wide range of devices. Qt for Windows CE allows rapid application development, translation to numerous languages, and unparalleled ease of platform migration to Windows, Mac®, Linux®, embedded Linux® and Unix®. Enjoy efficient cross-platform development across multiple device types.

Qt Cross-Platform Application Framework

Qt is a cross-platform application framework for desktop and embedded development. It includes an intuitive API and a rich C++ class library, integrated tools for GUI development and internationalization, and support for Java™ and C++ development.

Innovate & Differentiate

Proven Technology

Qt for Windows CE inherits the power and advantages of Qt, Trolltech's leading C++ cross-platform application framework. Trolltech has always demonstrated both commitment and ability to remain ahead of the technology curve, freeing customers to focus on front-end value-adding innovation rather than maintaining the software infrastructure.

Power to Differentiate

With full source code and documentation provided, Qt for Windows CE offers the freedom to create and innovate. Device and application developers using Qt can efficiently differentiate their products by taking control of the user experience.

Independence
Qt for Windows CE has minimal hardware dependencies and supports most existing Windows CE configurations. Qt for Windows CE is easy to build even for custom hardware configurations.

High Productivity

Whether you are developing for the desktop or Windows CE, Qt comes with a rich toolset enabling rapid application development, seamlessly integrated with Visual Studio®.

High Quality API

Qt for Windows® CE supports the same API as Qt on the desktop: a growing library of over 600 C++ classes, which encapsulates a complete infrastructure for end-to-end application development. Qt for Windows CE benefits from Qt 4's leading technologies including high-quality rendering engine, concurrency abstraction, text rendering and multi-threading. Unused features can be excluded when compiling Qt for Windows CE in order to minimize software footprint.

Enhanced Graphics Capabilities

Speed optimization and visual quality, a primary focus for Qt, has even more impact on embedded devices. The Qt for Windows CE API allows for the capabilities of the hardware's accelerated graphics to be utilized. Qt integrates Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG 1.1/1.2 Tiny) drawings and animations on embedded with full support for multiple displays. OpenGL ES is supported including an OpenGL paint engine for accelerated 3D graphics.

Powerful 2D Graphics Canvas

Qt Graphics View – a powerful 2D graphics canvas – enables the creation of interactive applications that responsively handle thousands of 2D graphics objects. Graphics View provides support for collision detection, optimized level-of-detail rendering, affine item transformations, enhanced control over animations and enhanced drag-and-drop features.

Native and Customizable Look and Feel

Qt for Windows CE adds two new native styles to Qt: the Windows Mobile and Windows CE style. At runtime, Qt applications will detect which style to use. The look and feel of Qt applications can be easily customized further with its unique widget stylesheets. Qt Style Sheets are a powerful mechanism that allows customization of widget appearance. The concepts, terminology, and syntax of Qt Style Sheets are inspired by HTML Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), but adapted to the world of widgets. With Qt Style Sheets, complex styles can be defined by anyone familiar with CSS techniques, in a fraction of the time and lines of code required for traditional UI styling.

Multimedia Framework*

Qt 4.4 incorporates Phonon: a straightforward, high-level, open-source media playback API. Phonon provides cross-platform support for video and audio playback using native media facilities.

Qt WebKit Integration*

Qt's integration with WebKit – a powerful open source web rendering engine – allows you to display and integrate dynamic web content and functionality in your local application. Applications can incorporate real-time web content and services, and utilize HTML and application scripting skills enabling new ways of creating and delivering user interfaces.

Advanced Text Layout Engine

Qt for Windows CE supports TrueType® and raster fonts. Targeting the global market is easier with Qt for Windows CE, with its extended Unicode support and right-to-left languages. Qt's rich text engine adds capabilities for complex text layouts including tables, path tracing and text which flows around shapes. Using Qt, it's has never been this easy to create rich text content in your embedded application.

Invaluable Tools

Regardless of what platform you are targeting, Qt includes tools, which enable rapid and optimal development. All tools are seamlessly integrated with Visual Studio, making it possible to target multiple platforms from within the popular Windows IDE. Tools include automatic code completion and syntax highlighting, powerful GUI layout and forms design through an integrated Qt Designer, templates for the most common application types, and Qt documentation integrate with Visual Studio online help. Also included are a set of tools designed to smooth the internationalization workflow.