C# saving methods

Question

Hi there

I use C# nearly 3 years now.

And I always used to save something in a textfile and read it later -_-"

Currently I'm using a ini file. It is more comfortable if I know what I'm searching for.

But now I was wondering if there is any kind of database? (Except MS Access files)

Because I have multiple datas that could be saved in a table.

Also is there a way to make it unreadable like a bin file?

Or if you can tell me something completly different let me know.

Thanks!

Sam Hobbs · Answer

So both XML and a database such as SQL Server are possibilities; the choice is more a matter of your personal choice.

Sam Hobbs · Answer

First there were INI files then there was the registry; now Windows applications use Settings files which are often called config files; they are actually XML files. It is not clear how much data you need to store. You are asking about databases so I assume the data is more than what is normally stored in config files. Yes you can use a database table but if that is the only thing you need a database for then perhaps a database table would be an innefficient solution. A good compromise might be to use a XML file that is not a config (Settings) file. A lot depends on your requirements and you have not adequately described the requirements for us to be clear in an answer.

Mahesh Chand · Answer

What kind of data and how much it is? Is is just pure data or contents such as text images and others? XML is a way to store data that is easier to parse and read back. Definitely better than INI formats. INI is used to store an application settings that is now replaced with app.config or web.config files depending on your application.

Sascha B · Answer

I tried it with XML and I think it fits my needs. Thanks

Sascha B · Answer

It is not that much data. This is an example what one data set would look like. Name: TV Shortcut: tv Begin: 350phi End: 30phi Excelpath: C:\test.csv Excelpage: 3 And this would be saved 3 or four times for categorie smartphones laptops monitors etc. This configuration should be saved somewhere and should be editable withing the file. My programm reads that file count the categories and displays the values for each categorie. Edit: I attached a XML file. Can someone take a look at it please?

Sascha B · Answer

ohh ok then I change my ini to config. I'm using it for categories. You can create different categories and every categorie has its own name file path shortcut and some more XML uses nodes right? For example if I create 3 categories nodes with its contents. Can I count them in my programm?