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What is the best way to serialize Delphi application configuration?

Asked 2009-08-18T12:24:01.253
10

I will answer this question myself, but feel free to provide your answers if you are faster than me or if you don't like my solution. I just came up with this idea and would like to have some opinions on that.

Goal: a configuration class that is readable (like an INI-file) but without having to write (and adapt after a new configuration item has been added) the load and save methods.

I want to create a class like

TMyConfiguration = class (TConfiguration)
  ...
  property ShowFlags : Boolean read FShowFlags write FShowFlags;
  property NumFlags : Integer read FNumFlags write FNumFlags;
end;

Calling TMyConfiguration.Save (inherited from TConfiguration) should create a file like

[Options]
ShowFlags=1
NumFlags=42

Question: What is the best way to do this?

delphi configuration-files rtti
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1 Answer

6

I use XML for all my application as means of configuration. It is:

  • flexible
  • future feature proof
  • easy to read with any text reader
  • very easy to extend in application. No class modifications needed

I have an XML library that makes it extremely easy to read or modify configuration, without even having to watch for missing values. Now you can also map the XML to a class inside application for faster access if speed is the issue, or certain values are read constantly.

I find other configuration methods far less optional:

  • Ini file: no in depth structure, far less flexible
  • registry: just keep away from that.
answered 2009-08-18T13:29:15.027

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