Config.cpp/bin File Format
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Two mutually exclusive file formats exist for addons:
- config.cpp (pre binarised, RaPifiable text) or
- config.bin (binarised raP)
Rules of Engagement
- By convention only:
- A 'bin' extension indicates binarised content.
- A 'cpp' extension indicates pre-binarised text.
- A cpp can, as equally, contain binarised content. No harm is done, and, indeed, this is familiar territory to rvmat files where there is no distinction. An rvmat (e.g) contains either format.
- If both file formats exist in a PBO directory (e.g config.bin and config.cpp, the .bin is ignored.
Usage
- Most pbos contain binarised configs (config.bin). This is because it saves engine loading time and guarantees the config.cpp it came from was syntactically correct (no missing semicolons, duplicate or missing classes, etc). There is almost no circumstance where a config.cpp should be released in a finished product. There are exceptions from very sophisticated, veteran, addon makers.
- Some pbos contain cpp because:
- It is a work-in-progress.
- they rely on #includes and/or
- they use __EVAL/__EXEC statements, or
- the author does not know how to binarise or
- binarisation fails.
There is no binarised equivalent for exec/eval or include.
Exec/Eval
Although unusual, __EVAL and __EXEC are the only method of compiling dynamic variables during run time. They are exclusively useful in Description.ext and its derivative script dialogs. Although it can be, that specific file is never pre-binarised and is compiled on each mission load.
Some very few dialog addons also use this method in their config.cpp's, BUT, in this circumstance, they offer no additional benefit to using #defines. This is because an addon is loaded and compiled only once.
Includes
Includes, while unusual, are a method of pre-configuring a series of PBOs for run time. There are many themes, but the main thrust is a common, text-based PBO, containing #defines. This is accessed from a series of dependent pbo's. In this manner, you can alter and update a common pbo and all the children don't require updating. ace_x and cba are popular architects of this scheme.
For these architectures to work, they require config.cpp's since there is no equivalent in raP binary for #include or __EVAL.
Many configs, same PBO
Any mission makers familiar with campaign architecture implicitly understand that this is simply packaging multiple addons inside a single one.
Any folder within the pbo containing a config.cpp/bin (and cfgpatches class) is automatically an addon in it is own right.