This directive includes a resource in the binary. The argument to this directive is the resource file to include in the binary:
{$R icons.res}
Will include the file icons.res as a resource in the binary. Up to version 2.2.N, resources are supported only for Windows (native resources are used) and for platforms using ELF binaries (linux, BSD). As of version 2.3.1, resources have been implemented for all supported platforms.
The asterisk can be used as a placeholder for the current unit/program filename:
unit myunit;
{$R *.res}
will include myunit.res.