Best way to use INI file

[M. Authement]

I am developing an add-in and am using an INI file to store various options
and lists. My question is this: am I better off reading the INI file into a
worksheet as part of the Workbook_Open event (and therefore having only 1
call to the INI file) or just call the INI file as needed? I have a class
module that defines all of the INI reads/writes, so the code is no problem.
Just wondering if there are advantages/disadvantages to the two methods.
TIA.


Using WinXP and XL2003.

 

[Bob Phillips]

I would create a class object and read the INI file and store as properties
of the class.

--
---
HTH

Bob

(change the xxxx to gmail if mailing direct)

 

[Tom Ogilvy]

Sounds like the only consideration is performing the IO operations. If so,
then fewer is better than more. So read it in one time. Write it out one
time.

I would be hard pressed to think of other advantages and disadvantages
although I am sure the imagination could run wild.

 

[Chip Pearson]

I would read the entire INI file at startup, store the values somewhere, and
then write back the entire INI file at shutdown.

As an aside, INI files were supposed to be made obsolete by the System
Registry. Is there any particular reason you are using an INI file rather
than GetSettings and SaveSetting to store data in the registry.

Moreover, why not just save the settings in the add-in itself?


--
Cordially,
Chip Pearson
Microsoft MVP - Excel
Pearson Software Consulting, LLC
www.cpearson.com
(email address is on the web site)

 

[M. Authement]

Thanks Bob/Tom/Chip.

Chip,

I was told that there may be some issues with the security settings on some
of our computers (for certain computers just about everything is locked
down). I didn't have a way to test writing to the registry and I don't know
enough to say whether that may be an issue so I went the INI route. I will
eventually get some test time on the different set up and hope to move to
registry rather than INI, but this is the way it is for now. I learned
quite a bit about classes and API calls during the development so certainly
nothing lost in the effort.

I originally had the settings in the add-in workbook, but realized that
users will change some of them (that is the design) and if I ever update the
code, say using registry rather than INI, I want to just replace the .xla
file but needed a way for the users' to keep their settings. Something
about separating the various layers of the application...I read it in
Professional Excel Development

So that's my rationale...suggestions and corrections are always welcome.
Thanks again for the help.

 

[Chip Pearson]

Permissions may be an issue for writing keys in some registry areas, but if
you use GetSetting(s) and SaveSetting, the keys and values are stored in

HKCU\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings

which you should always have permission to add/change/delete.


--
Cordially,
Chip Pearson
Microsoft MVP - Excel
Pearson Software Consulting, LLC
www.cpearson.com
(email address is on the web site)

 

[M. Authement]

Thanks for clearing that up...time to learn more about the registry and
Get/SaveSetting.