Registry being used as a simple database by a program???

[Dan]

Hi all -

I do custom programming and network support. A client recently handed off a
program to me that they'd had written by someone else. It runs on a Windows
2000 Server.

From what I can tell the original author is using the registry as a simple
database - reading in values on initialization (normal enough), then doing
large amounts of reads and writes / creation and deletion of string values and
longs as the program runs. When exported the registry key for this program is
about 10 megs - All of the program's data storage is in the registry.

While I've used the registry in the past for program initialization, saving
the state of an application, etc.I have never seen the registry used like this
before. Am I out of the loop? Is this something common?

I'm considering rewriting the data storage portion of the program - this just
doesn't smell right to me.

Thoughts? Opinions? Thanks in advance.

- Dan

 

[Crouchie1998]

I am a professional programmer & I use the registry for settings etc, but
not for what you are describing.

I agree that you should re-write the program, but depending on who needs
access to it or how many or even if it also holds login info will depend on
how you re-write it.

If you describe what type of data. Is it for single/shared use..?

Crouchie1998
BA (HONS) MCP MCSE

 

[Dave Patrick]

I would tend to agree. Use some form of relational or file based database
store.

--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

:
| Hi all -
|
| I do custom programming and network support. A client recently handed off
a
| program to me that they'd had written by someone else. It runs on a
Windows
| 2000 Server.
|
| From what I can tell the original author is using the registry as a simple
| database - reading in values on initialization (normal enough), then doing
| large amounts of reads and writes / creation and deletion of string values
and
| longs as the program runs. When exported the registry key for this program
is
| about 10 megs - All of the program's data storage is in the registry.
|
| While I've used the registry in the past for program initialization,
saving
| the state of an application, etc.I have never seen the registry used like
this
| before. Am I out of the loop? Is this something common?
|
| I'm considering rewriting the data storage portion of the program - this
just
| doesn't smell right to me.
|
| Thoughts? Opinions? Thanks in advance.
|
| - Dan
|

 

[Dan]

Thanks for the input guys. I'm going to rewrite the data storage section. On a
first pass basis it appears that a couple of text files should do it - I don't
even need a "real" database.

- Dan

 

[Dave Patrick]

You're welcome.

--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

:
| Thanks for the input guys. I'm going to rewrite the data storage section.
On a
| first pass basis it appears that a couple of text files should do it - I
don't
| even need a "real" database.
|
| - Dan

 

[Crouchie1998]

Pleasure - its what we're here for

Crouchie1998
BA (HONS) MCP MCSE