Implement RegFlushKey

[Gregory M. Turner]

On Saturday 27 December 2003 09:23 am, Shachar Shemesh wrote:
> Mike Hearn wrote:
> >This implementation is a little inefficient but without using a random
> >access binary db as Windows does (which I am not going to advocate) it's
> >the best we can do.
>
> Ok, I'm going to be flamed for this, but I'm going to go ahead and ask.
>
> This is a request to understand, not a suggestion (yet?).
> Why not use a general purpose DB system? (postgresql, mysql, whatever)
> After all, the registry is just a tree shaped database. We can do that
> using standard SQL, and fall back to our current method if a proper DB
> is not found.
>
>              Shachar

The SQL thing is not an inherently bad idea, but why /not/ implement the NT 
"hive" format (the random access binary db mentioned above) instead?  This 
might involve some ugly reverse engineering, but I think this would allow 
registries saved out via Reg{Save,Restore}Key to work.... in fact, doesn't 
wine already read this format when using a "Windows" installation?  Some 
months ago I tried to run an application I wrote for my employer, which used 
those API's to import prefabricated chunks of registry stored in this format, 
but it failed to read them in.

I guess this is another "hey, somebody other than me should do a crapload of 
work" type of post... but I thought I'd mention it to remind everyone that 
there is a Windows-API-compatibility justification suggesting that approach.

-- 
gmt

"It is to be the assent and ratification of the several States,
derived from the supreme authority in each State, the authority
of the people themselves.  The act, therefore, establishing the
Constitution, will not be a NATIONAL, but a FEDERAL act." --James
Madison, Federalist No. 39