Brendan Tompkins [MVP]

Blog First. Ask Questions Later.

How To .config the Right Way...

From IanG: Why Writing Into .NET Application Configuration Files Is a Bad Idea. This is good information, especially the section “Where Should I Put This Information Then?”

I often think that .config files can be improved upon as well. I've batted around the idea of creating a “configuration service” that could be accessed by a bunch of different apps that need common configuration information. I think if something like this were designed the right way, it could be really useful. All an application would need to do would be to identify itself, and the config service could provide common or custom configuration information. Perhaps someday I'll find some time to work on this.

-Brendan

Published Nov 26 2004, 07:31 AM by Brendan Tompkins

Comments

Anon said:

How would you get the app to provide valid credentials? You wouldn't want to give config info out willy nilly and if you have to store credentials you have the same problem :(

# November 26, 2004 3:56 AM

Brendan Tompkins said:

Not sure if I understand the issue fully, but could use a webservice with WSE security, and you could store credentials however you're storing the rest of your config, right?

# November 26, 2004 6:22 AM

Grant said:

Maybe we could work on a hierearchical database containing keys and values, sort of a master hash table, and then . . . no wait, they tried that already and it's called the Registry. 'Nuff said.

Jon Galloway breaks down config file pros and cons here: http://weblogs.asp.net/jgalloway/archive/0001/01/01/129941.aspx

I'm a big fan of "integrated security=SSPI", but I'd still like to find something a bit more comfortable.

# November 30, 2004 12:10 AM

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About Brendan Tompkins

Brendan has been programming with .NET since the first public beta and is owner and operator of Port Technology Services, a consultancy company providing .NET application development services to the Maritime industry. In July, 2007, he was awarded the Microsoft MVP award for ASP.NET. He's also a proud co-founder of failed .COM startup Intrinsigo, and has had a hand in the failure of numerous other businesses. He currently runs CodeBetter.Com and Devlicio.us, and lives in Norfolk, Virgina with his wife Tiara and son Ian.