INI File Changes View

Initialization (.ini) files serve as a database in which you can store and retrieve information between uses of your application. Some .ini files, such as Boot.ini and Wininit.ini, are used by the operating system. In this view you can edit any .ini file found on the target system, although editing system .ini files is not recommended.

Sections in .ini files follow this format:

[section name]
keyword1=value1
keyword2=value2
keyword3=value3

Add an .ini File

MyFile.ini

SectionName

Keyword

To point to a new .ini file, right-click on INI Files and select Add INI File. If you don't have a component already created, InstallShield will create one for you. You can change the component this .ini file is associated with by setting the Component property. Next, give the new item the name of the file you want to edit. Finally, set the properties of the .ini file in the property sheet to the right. These properties determine the path to the .ini file and the installation of the feature that determines whether the .ini file is changed.

Add a Section

To specify a new or existing section of an .ini file, right-click on the .ini file in the explorer and select Add Section. Give this new item in the tree the name of the section you would like to edit or add to the target .ini file.Set the Display Name of this section to the name of the section you would like to edit. Do not include the square brackets. For example, to edit the [Drivers] section of an .ini file, create the section Drivers under the .ini file in the INI File Changes explorer.

Add a Keyword

A keyword holds a value in an .ini file. To add a keyword to a section, right-click on the section you would like to edit and select Add Keyword. Give the keyword the name of the keyword you would like to create or edit. Then, edit the keyword's properties in the property sheet to the right.

Drag and Drop

You can drag and drop both sections and keywords. Keywords can only be dropped on sections, and sections can only be dropped on .ini files. Dragging and dropping a section or keyword has the same effect as cut and paste.

Copy and Paste

INI sections and keywords support copy and paste commands, allowing you to reuse common sections and keywords without having to start from the beginning each time. To copy a keyword or section, right-click on it and select copy, or select the section you would like to copy and press Ctrl+C. To paste a section or keyword, select the node you would like it to be a child of and press Ctrl+V or right-click on it and select Paste.