.INI Files??

[Signo.X]

What is a .INI File ???

why do we need it for ??

what's an example of an .INI file in vb.net ??

~thanks in advance..

Signo.X

 

[Raven65]

.INI files are Initilization files. They are used to store values outside of a programs EXE and then be read in at run time.

Initilization via this method provides many benefits along the lines of being able to change variables within a program without needing to recompile and redistribute the application.

Lets say you have a program that the user may choose to install to a location other than C:\ProgramFiles. Your installer would log the location to your INI file and then the program would still work because it loaded the value from the INI file. Had you hardcoded this path in the user would be unable to install the application to their chosen folder and have the program work.

All that being said, .INI files are technically the very old VB6 way of doing things. Microsofts reccomendation eventually went to using the registry (VB2003 IIRC) and now is that you use XML files to contain your initilization variables. (A very good suggestion, in my opinion)

 

[JuggaloBrotha]

XML replaces the INI files, also MS still recamends that you don't use the registry, but that you use an XML file instead

 

[Signo.X]

Thanks guys for the reply, was really helpful as i didnt find much basic info about ini files.

now, how do i use the XML files suggested to do my initialization of variables, etc..?

 

[Arkette]

now, how do i use the XML files suggested to do my initialization of variables, etc..?

Since you are using VS2005 check out the new 'My.Settings' namespace.

 

[Signo.X]

Thanks ARKETTE..

never knew such a namespace exist..i'll have a look at it on the msdn..

!signo.X