quote:
Original post by Prefect
Linux doesn''t need something called a "registry" (some argue that it''s already present in /etc), but a standardized config file format sure would be helpful, for two reasons:
- humans don''t need to learn new syntaxes all the time
Use XML. And require the application author to provide a schema with the app. That way, anybody can parse, comprehend and/or manipulate configuration data. A single, pluggable configuration utility can serve all conforming applications without imposing a config format or location on the application.
The config file should merely be named <appname>.conf and be stored in /etc if system-wide or /home/<username>/.<appname> otherwise. Yeah, conventions have the disadvantage of not ensuring or guaranteeing anything, but they still leave room for flexibility and creativity.
The Windows registry is convenient in many respects, but a pain (as with the rest of the system) once you skirt the trivialities. I always prefer short-term inconveniences for long-term benefits (the *nix way) over the inverse (the Windows way). Right now I just wish upper management would see things the same way...
