I use XML (as stated before) but for this single purpose, I agree with Charlie that it would be much simpler and just as affective to use the INI file functionality built into CF. You will use half the lines of code to do that vs the XML option.
Still, XML is a nice buzz word and if you want to use this as a reason to get familiar with reading and parsing XML files, then great! It is a great standard to use for sharing data between systems. However, again, if the purpose is to just read some params in and set application vars, I think the ini option Charlie suggested would be best. I even thought about rewriting my system to use the ini rather than the XML. It would reduce the settings file to about 30 lines (60% reduction) and be MUCH easier to read than my XML. There is no real answer to which is the "best" option for you. They are both great. <salute> Wes From: ad...@acfug.org [mailto:ad...@acfug.org] On Behalf Of Charlie Arehart Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 10:59 AM To: discussion@acfug.org Subject: RE: [ACFUG Discuss] Development vs Production Application.cfm and other things... Ajas, you mention some loving/some hating XML files. I didn't see any reply from you on my note offering yet another alternative (sent 10/24), where I said simply: "Or one may find it a little easier to use ini files, and CF's functions to read them (added in CF 6), such as getprofilestring, getprofilesections, setprofilestring." I'm not knocking any of the solutions you found, nor do I have any hatred toward XML myself, but I would again argue that for some uses it would definitely be "easier" than XML. :-) Not as robust or flexible, no. But if you just want to read in a few strings that would vary in the implementation of such an ini file would really suit the purpose well. It's just one of the many easily missed features that CF offers. Not trying to stop you following the other approaches. Just want to make sure folks are aware of the alternative. :-) /charlie From: ad...@acfug.org [mailto:ad...@acfug.org] On Behalf Of Ajas Mohammed Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 8:42 PM To: discussion@acfug.org Subject: Re: [ACFUG Discuss] Development vs Production Application.cfm and other things... Thank you everyone. The suggestions from everyone were very helpful. Using the suggestions helped me come across these links http://environmentconfig.riaforge.org/ http://learn.objectorientedcoldfusion.org/wiki/Managing_Multiple_Environment_Configurations http://tutorial304.easycfm.com/ http://www.coldfusionjedi.com/index.cfm/2005/9/2/ColdFusion-101-Config-Files-AGoGo-Part-2-XML-Files Looks like more people are using or prefer XML. I did see some ppl show hatred towards XML which is very hard to understand. You would think xml is the simplest way of storing data or doing things like this. Personally, I would prefer XML as its easy to work with. Thanks all, <Ajas Mohammed /> ------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from this list, manage your profile @ http://www.acfug.org?fa=login.edituserform For more info, see http://www.acfug.org/mailinglists Archive @ http://www.mail-archive.com/discussion%40acfug.org/ List hosted by FusionLink<http://www.fusionlink.com> ------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from this list, manage your profile @ http://www.acfug.org?fa=login.edituserform For more info, see http://www.acfug.org/mailinglists Archive @ http://www.mail-archive.com/discussion%40acfug.org/ List hosted by http://www.fusionlink.com -------------------------------------------------------------