Dictionnary vs Class for configuration

[Andrei]

Famille Delorme wrote on Fri, 30 Apr 2004 19:38:53 +0200:

> The config_section variable is included in each modules (script python) used
> in my program
> (with from config.py import config_section)

I agree with the other posters that unless you know the end users know
Python, you shouldn't configure in Python code (well, unless you have a
system (e.g. GUI) to change it for people who don't know Python). 

> And the use is like this
>     from conf.py import config_sql
>     print config["DATABASE"]
> 
> But my master say it's better to do a class like this
> class config :
>     def __init__(self, part=="") :
>         if (part=="SQL") :
>             self.database="nanana"
>             self.userdb="bob"
>             self.password="*******"
>         elif (part=="SCRIPT") :
>             self.timetosleep=10
>             self.path="/home/script"
>         ....

Given the choice between dictionary and class, I would probably take the
dictionary, because it just has more of a "storage" feel to it. OTOH, the
class requires less typing of quotes, which slightly decreases the amount
of time spent on writing the program :).

> We have do only a file for configuration because the administrator is no
> searching for configuration.
> I want know :
>  - what is more faster, dictionnary method or class method?

Speed in this case is completely irrelevant.

>  - what use more ram memory ?

As long as you don't plan to have dozens of megabytes of configuration, I
don't really see why this would make any difference in your choice neither.

>  - if you are administrator, what method you like for configure program ?

GUI, INI file or, if constrained to your two options, the dictionary
approach. Dictionary is probably easier to understand and less intimidating
for non-programmers than the class. With the class being modified by
non-programmers I'd be very afraid they'd break indentation even if they
get the rest of the syntax right.

-- 
Yours,

Andrei

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