>>In general, however, ini files are less widely used, as the most appropriate place to store application related data is in the registry. I still you ini files, however, to store dynamic data, such as last screen position, tool bar state and position. I used the registry for static data.
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>
>George-
>I use the registry exclusively to store system and app settings but I am curious, have you ever done any testing as to the speed difference between getprivateprofilestring and the series of calls required to retreive a registry value? I have had no speed complaints yet, even though my base form class calls the registry 4 times in load and 4 times in destroy, but I would like to know if speed is an argument either way.

Hi Erik,

Nope, can't say that I have. If I recall correctly the registry is supposed to be faster because of its hierarchical structure. The system doesn't first have to locate the section, then the entry sequentially. However, if the ini file is relatively small and the entries well thought out, it may be a wash, or at least such a small difference that it's not of any consequence. Problem is that sometimes folks'll put everything in an ini file, and not give any thought to the design. By contrast, the registry does remove some of that as a possibility.