How to Read and Write INI Files

Introduction

CIniReader is a class that reads/writes from/to an INI file. Here are functions list of this class:

The functions in CIniReader use GetPrivateProfilexxx () functions to set, get information stored in an INI file. By having idea of the SDK functions like GetPrivateProfilexxx (), the functionality of the class can easily be extended.

Here is the CIniReader header file:

//
// CIniReader- Header File
//
class CIniReader
{
public:
// method to set INI file name, if not already specified
void setINIFileName(CString strINIFile);
// methods to return the lists of section data and section names
CStringList* getSectionData(CString strSection);
CStringList* getSectionNames();
// check if the section exists in the file
BOOL sectionExists(CString strSection);
// updates the key value, if key already exists, else creates a key-value pair
long setKey(CString strValue, CString strKey, CString strSection);
// give the key value for the specified key of a section
CString getKeyValue(CString strKey,CString strSection);
// default constructor
CIniReader()
{
m_sectionList = new CStringList();
m_sectionDataList = new CStringList();
}
CIniReader(CString strFile)
{
m_strFileName = strFile;
m_sectionList = new CStringList();
m_sectionDataList = new CStringList();
}
~CIniReader()
{
delete m_sectionList;
delete m_sectionDataList;
}
private:
// lists to keep sections and section data
CStringList *m_sectionDataList;
CStringList *m_sectionList;
CString m_strSection;
long m_lRetValue;
// ini file name
CString m_strFileName;
};

What the source code is doing?

Demo project shows how to use the class. It takes from the user the fully qualified path and name of the INI file
as "C:\WINDOWS\ODBC.INI" in the INI File name edit box. List Sections fills the list of sections in the INI file.
Specifying any of the section names, and clicking the List Keys buttons will fill the second list box with the
section data (all key and value pairs). Specifying a key name and pressing the Show Key Value button will
display the value of the key. Update Key Value will update the modified value from the key value edit box for
the key. If key not already present, update key value will create the specified key-value pair in the INI file. Be
sure what you are doing, as it will modify the keys and values of INI.

Currently the buffer limit is up to 2000 characters, which can be increased according to the requirement.

After setting the INI file name just as the following code, you can proceed with using CIniReader functions:

// example of using the setINIFileName method
CIniReader  m_IniReader;
m_strINIFile = "C:\\WINDOWS\\ODBC.INI";
m_IniReader.setINIFileName (m_strINIFile);

That's it. The class is so simple and easy to use, I am sure you will have no problem.