INI Files
INI files are a simple, human-readable configuration file format used to store settings and parameters for software applications. They consist of sections defined by square brackets, key-value pairs, and optional comments, making them easy to edit manually without specialized tools. This format is widely supported across various programming languages and operating systems for basic configuration needs.
Developers should learn INI files when working with legacy systems, lightweight applications, or scenarios requiring straightforward configuration without complex nesting, such as desktop software, game settings, or simple web server setups. They are particularly useful for projects where readability and ease of editing by non-technical users are priorities, though they lack advanced features like data types or hierarchical structures found in modern formats.