Location for Data Files

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While this applies to Vista, it also applies to XP (even though most ignore
it). Like most, my programs use INI and input files, as well as
customer-made and modified data files. I've always placed the INI and main
data files in the Program directory, and the data files (similar to
spreadsheets in Excel) into a subdirectory of the Program directory. Now, I
realize this is all contrary to Vista (and the more proper XP operation as
well), as the user does not always have write access there.

Now, for the INI file, I have no problem putting it into the preferred
Users\All Users\Application Data\MyProgram directory (using
Environ$("ALLUSERSPROFILE"). While the Application Data directory is
actually hidden, that really doesn't matter for this purpose.

However, I also have some configuration data files which customers trade
with each other, and need to be able to browse to, to copy, add new files
to, etc.. Program Themes are an example of these files. Obviously,
Application Data isn't the best place for those.

And then there are the individual data files that are provided with the
program, and constantly modified, and new ones created, by the customer. One
of my programs provides over 3,000 of these files, into subdirectories under
a main data directory. It makes some sense to put them into a subdirectory
of the user's Documents directory. But then no one else using the computer
(with a different login) can get to them. And putting them into the \All
Users\Documents directory makes it a royal pain to get to.

Where the heck is the best/recommended place to put these kind of files? It
is so simple, to me, logical (and it's where the custom expects them), to
put them in subdirectories of the Program directory, but that breaks all the
rules.

--
Regards,

Rick Raisley


.

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