INI

Type of format	Configuration file
First released	1985?
Developer	Microsoft?
Filename extension	.ini
Open Format?	Yes
Free Format?	Yes
Magic Number	None

 An INI is a text-based configuration file for computer software that consists of a text-based content with a structure and syntax comprising key–value pairs for properties, and sections that organize the properties. In context of BD-J, INI files are optionally used as configuration files for BD-J programs.

 In an INI file, settings are typically organized into sections, which are enclosed in square brackets ([]). Each section can contain one or more key-value pairs, where the key is separated from the value by an equal sign (=) or a colon (:). For example:

[Section1] 
Key1=Value1 
Key2=Value2 
 
[Section2] 
Key3=Value3 

 Sony often used INI files for it's BD-J titles in the late 2000s to configure playlists, age, region, language, positioning menu graphics, etc. Here's an sample from 2007's Surf's Up (settings.ini):

// SPHE Settings file //

debug = false
version = 1.0

region = 1
MPAA Age = 8

Feature Audio Streams = engPCM,eng,fra,spa,engVEComm,engFMComm
Feature Audio Stream Numbers = 2,1,3,4,5,6

Feature Subtitle Streams = eng,engSDH,fra,spa,spaVEComm,spaFMComm
Feature Subtitle Stream Numbers = 1,2,3,4,5,6

Feature Chapters = 16

Featurette Subtitle Streams = spa
Featurette Subtitle Stream Numbers = 1

// Mapping to index of subtitle stream objects
Featurette Subtitle Stream Mapping = 3
Commentary Subtitle Stream Mapping = 4,5

// Mapping to index of audio stream objects
Feature Commentary Audio Streams = 4,5
Visual Effects Commentary = 4
Filmmaker Commentary = 5

INI files are easy to read and edit with a simple text editor, which makes them a popular choice for storing configuration data in a human-readable format. But must BD-J developers often use the Java Properties file more.

History

The name of these configuration files comes from the filename extension INI, for initialization, used in the MS-DOS operating system which popularized this method of software configuration. 

It is unclear of it's origins, but it is believed to be originated in early versions of Microsoft Windows (like Windows 3.x) in the 1980s. The format has become an informal standard in many contexts of configuration.

Sample files

• dexvert samples — text/ini

External Links

• INI - Wikipedia Page
• INI - Nord VPN Glossary
• INI - Fileformat.com
  

Author(s) : Æ Firestone