The Include (.FD) File

Each control in a dialog box has a unique integer identifier. When the Resource Editor creates the include file (.FD), it assigns the PARAMETER attribute to each control and to the dialog box itself, so they become named constants. It also assigns each control and the dialog box an integer value. You can read the list of names and values in your dialog boxes include file (for example, RESOURCE.FD). To view and modify the named constants, click Resource Symbols in the View menu.

When your application uses a control, it can refer to the control or dialog box by its name (for example, IDC_SCROLLBAR_TEMPERATURE or IDD_TEMP), or by its integer value. If you want to rename a control or make some other change to your dialog box, you should make the change through the Resource Editor in the visual development environment. Do not use a text editor to alter your .FD include file because the dialog resource will not be able to access the changes.