Question :
Could you tell me the possible advantages and disadvantages of using a .INI file to configure an application? Preferably, PHP applications.
Answer :
INI files are considered a standard. An “informal standard” for configuration files for software. INI files are simple text files with a basic structure composed of sections, properties and values.
I only see advantages in its use, but will always depend on the needs of a project.
I do not find it very relevant in small projects. But when we work on projects in teams or if there is a need for others to be able to parameterize it is important to have a standard because it simplifies and a lot.
It would emphasize that it is totally independent of the software, readable and simple to analyze, so it is a usable format for configuration files up to some degree of complexity.