Pros and cons of AppSettings vs applicationSettings (.NET app.config / Web.config)

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The basic <appSettings> is easier to deal with – just slap in a <add key="...." value="..." /> entry and you’re done.

The downside is: there’s no type-checking, e.g. you cannot safely assume your number that you wanted to configure there really is a number – someone could put a string into that setting….. you just access it as ConfigurationManager["(key)"] and then it’s up to you to know what you’re dealing with.

Also, over time, the <appSettings> can get rather convoluted and messy, if lots of parts of your app start putting stuff in there (remember the old windows.ini file? :-)).

If you can, I would prefer and recommend using your own configuration sections – with .NET 2.0, it’s really become quite easy, That way, you can:

  • a) Define your configuration settings in code and have them type-safe
    and checked
  • b) You can cleanly separate YOUR settings from everyone
    else’s. And you can reuse your config code, too!

There’s a series of really good articles on you to demystify the .NET 2.0 configuration system on CodeProject:

  1. Unraveling the mysteries of .NET 2.0 configuration

  2. Decoding the mysteries of .NET 2.0 configuration

  3. Cracking the mysteries of .NET 2.0 configuration

Highly recommended! Jon Rista did a great job explaining the configuration system in .NET 2.0.

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