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I've got a program which is using a MySQL to connect to database. But in many cases, the MySQL host address isn't constant, so I created a dialog where I can change the settings, but here we get to the question:
What is better type of storing - register of *.ini file (what's more reliable, faster and easier to write - there aren't many settings)?
Well the win32 way is to use the Registry.
Depending on how widely used your program is, you need to think about how many different copies of your program could be run (on the same machine).
For example, does it make sense to have settings on a per-user basis, or will all users of the same machine use the same settings.
all users will use the same settings...
Storing program settings under Windows: A brief overview
Program settings can either be stored in the registry or a settings file. For settings stored in the registry the following locations should be used.
Settings for all users should go under:
Similarly per-user settings should go under:Code:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\YourCompany\YourProgram
In nearly all company and many home installations a user will not be able to write to keys under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. Therefore, you should only expect to write there at installation or when an administrator is logged in. If the user has to wait till Wednesday when the part-time sys-admin comes in to change the font size in your application, it is a sure bet that they won't be using your program for long. It is also appropriate for server style software which expects to be administered only by an administrator. Settings under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE are shared by all users, which may run into the dozens.Code:HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\YourCompany\YourProgram
You read and write to the registry using the registry functions. Search the board with RegCreateKeyEx for examples.
Although, the use of .ini files was discouraged in favour of the registry when Windows 95 was released, settings files are making somewhat of a comeback. Some users prefer a simple to delete settings file rather than hard-to-find settings in the registry. You can manipulate .ini files with the GetPrivateProfile*/WritePrivateProfile* family of functions. Another increasingly popular format for settings files is xml. Settings files in a binary format should be avoided.
For settings that apply to all users the settings file should be stored under:
Per user settings should be stored under:Code:CSIDL_COMMON_APPDATA\YourCompany\YourProgram
A CSIDL can be converted to an actual path using the SHGetSpecialFolderPath function. As with the registry, a normal user will not be able to write to files under CSIDL_COMMON_APPDATA.Code:CSIDL_APPDATA\YourCompany\YourProgram