Microsoft KB Archive/74602

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PRB: Private Profile (INI) Files Not Designed as Database

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Q74602

3.00 3.10 WINDOWS kbprg

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Windows Software Development Kit (SDK) 3.1

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SYMPTOMS
In the Microsoft Windows graphical environment, a private profile or initialization file, as the name suggests, is designed to be used when a program initializes and terminates. A profile stores a limited amount of information from one program session to the next. A profile is are not designed to serve as a database.

STATUS
This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION
Windows assumes that an INI file is not larger than 64K; file access is not guaranteed beyond that point. Even if a text editor is used to extend the file, Windows does not search for information past the 64K boundary.

Also, Windows performs a linear search of INI files; therefore, the longer the file becomes, the longer it takes to access an item at the end of the file. Each time an application accesses an INI file, Windows opens and closes the file which incurs additional overhead.

One alternative to using initialization files to store large amounts of information is for the program to write to and maintain its own files. This approach is faster, more flexible, and more reliable than using profile for purposes for which it is not designed.

Additional query words: 3.00 3.10

Keywords : kb16bitonly kbSDKPlatform kbSysSettings

Issue type : kbprb

Technology : kbAudDeveloper kbWin3xSearch kbSDKSearch kbWinSDKSearch kbWinSDK310