Thread: get "application data" directory in xp, vista

hi, all
as you know, some folder has different path in winxp and vista.
i get path for application data directory (in winxp, but appdata in vista) using SHGetSpecialFolderPath api function.

Syntax

BOOL SHGetSpecialFolderPath( HWND hwndOwner,
LPTSTR lpszPath,
int nFolder,
BOOL fCreate
);
Parameters

hwndOwner
Handle to the owner window the client should specify if it displays a dialog box or message box.
lpszPath
Pointer to a null-terminated string that receives the drive and path of the specified folder. This buffer must be at least MAX_PATH characters in size.
nFolder
A CSIDL that identifies the folder of interest. If a virtual folder is specified, this function will fail.
fCreate
Indicates if the folder should be created if it does not already exist. If this value is nonzero, the folder will be created. If this value is zero, the folder will not be created.

then nFolder has const variable like "CSIDL_LOCAL_APPDATA" for getting path for winxp.
but this value dont work in vista.
can you suggest how to solve this problem?
any help will be appreciate.

This question should be asked in the Windows Programming forum.

I use the code below for win98se straight thru to vista and I've never had a problem finding the apps directory. May not be the best method, but it works. All I ever noticed with vista (and thankfully I don't own that piece of crap) is it has a tendancy to hide files inside the compatibility tab's folder.

Code:

std::string getDrivePath;

     char Path[MAX_PATH];    /* Default Size - GetCurDirect */
     GetModuleFileName(NULL, Path, MAX_PATH);
     getDrivePath=Path;
     std::string::size_type loc= getDrivePath.find_last_of("\\");
     getDrivePath.erase(loc+1);   /* Retain full pathway  */

Well, if it's his/her application then he/she should know what the data folder is, so simply append that to the getDrivePath string. Or, perhaps I'm misinterpreting the OP's question altogether. Dunno, it's been a long day. ..

i cannt get properly information for your reply.
my code says like
.......

Code:

switch(type)
  {
    case APPLICATION_DATA:
      folder = CSIDL_APPDATA; break;
    case LOCAL_SETTINGS_APPLICATION_DATA:
      folder = CSIDL_LOCAL_APPDATA; break;
    //unhandeled folder type
    default:
      return false;
  }

  //call unicode or local-specific functions as necessary to get folder path
  bool success = true;

  //So KwangHyok Update Code - 2008/3/12
  QLibrary library("shell32");
  typedef BOOL (WINAPI*GetSpecialFolderPath)(HWND, LPTSTR, int, BOOL);
  GetSpecialFolderPath SHGetSpecialFolderPath = (GetSpecialFolderPath)library.resolve("SHGetSpecialFolderPathW");

as you know CSIDL_LOCAL_APPDATA and CSIDL_APPDATA is available in winxp, but not in vista.
MSDN says CSIDL_LOCAL_APPDATA is "C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data"
so i need to know how to use another value instead of CSIDL_LOCAL_APPDATA or any way.
thanks