Descriptors FAQ

"Everything about Symbian OS descriptors"

Internal Links

• Who are you?
• How do I search this blog?
• What should I do if I have a question?
• Welcome to the descriptors FAQ
• A different approach
• The Basics
• Why use descriptors?
• What *aren't* descriptors?
• Memory Management
• Is there any size limit for a descriptor?
• Comparison of Length() functions
• How do I know what kind of descriptor to use?
• What are the descriptor equivalents of C string functions?
• Large stack based descriptors
• How do I create a small, stack based descriptor?
• How do I use stack-based buffer descriptors?
• How do I create & use bigger, heap based descriptors?
• How do I use heap-based buffer descriptors?
• How do I use HBufC efficiently?
• Why is there no HBuf?
• How do I use RBuf?
• An example of how to use RBuf?
• How do I use descriptors as parameters?
• How do I use descriptors as return types?
• What is the layout of non-modifiable descriptors?
• What is the layout of modifiable descriptors?
• Do pointer descriptors own the memory they point to?
• What are pointer descriptors?
• What does TPtrC::Set() do?
• What does TPtr::operator() do?
• How do I do lazy initialization on a TPtr?
• What are literal descriptors?
• Why is _L deprecated?
• How do I get binary data into a _LIT?
• Conversion between 8 and 16 bit descriptors
• How do I convert an 8 bit descriptor to a Java string?
• How do I convert a Java string to a descriptor?
• How do I use TLex?