Save options for your program (when it starts)

[NicoVB]

What is the best way to save options for your program like sound, file location, and so on???

 

in XML files, text files???

[Guest Morgon]

With the project I'm running, I just use the builtin SaveSetting() and GetSetting() functions.

 

Format (All args are type String):

GetSetting(HKCU Folder, SubFolder, Key, Default Value If Key Not Found)

 

SaveSetting(HKCU Folder, SubFolder, Key, Value)

 

(Caveat - This places the folder under "HKCU\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings" - Cool for some of us, but if you're deploying something name-worthy, I'm not sure how to keep it from sticking it there)

 

Example:

Dim SaveDir As String = GetSetting("MyProj", "Settings", "FileLocation", CStr(MyDocs) & "\MyProj Personal Files\")

Or

SaveSetting("MyProj", "Settings", "FileLocation", InputBox1.Text)

 

---

Just as an added bonus, I've seen a lot of people asking for a way to find out the current "My Documents" directory, since it is changeable and will vary on a multi-user machine.. the way I do it is just with a couple little lines at the top:

Dim aKey As RegistryKey = Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey("Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders")

Dim MyDocs As Object = aKey.GetValue("Personal")

 

Also note you must use an "Imports Microsoft.Win32" to use the RegistryKey type

 

Hope this helps!

-Morgon

[NicoVB]

Hmmm, but is there not something with a config XML file???

 

I heard something about this, but don't know very sure.

 

 

BTW : The GetSetting and SaveSetting Functions: were are your options saved????

[divil]

I like using XML, check out the XMLTextReader and XMLTextWriter classes.

[NicoVB]

yes, I know the XML namespaces, but what is safest manner, and the easiest??

[Guest Morgon]

I'm curious.. why is XML better than using the registry, or even just an INI file? Is it "coolness factor" or is there some real benefit?

[reboot]

I'm not positive, but I suspect you may have hit the nail on the head with your "coolness factor" comment. :)

[divil]

You only say that because you're not cool

[Guest _RIP_DREAMS]

xml r0x are easy to see and easy to use

[Guest Morgon]

Okay, well Captain '37337'.. why does XML 'rox' .. is it just like an INI file, or what? I've only seen XML as its own file.. so is it just "INI 2.0" or what? Someone enlighten me :)

[Thinker]

Everything taken together, XML is to INI as the ocean is to small

pond. That doesn't mean it would be better when all you need is

a simple way to save some options, but as has been said, XML is

on the MS marketing machine top 10 list.

[Guest SoTTo]

The GetSetting and SaveSetting Functions: were are your options saved????

HKEY_CURRENT_USER - software - VB and VBA Program Settings - application name (you can specify this one) - subkey (you can specify this one to - value (pretty logic that you can specify these too)