Ini file

An ini file is an alternative way to specify a tool. It has the usual format:

An ini file has two types of entry, sections and items. Sections are names enclosed in square brackets and items are names followed by an equals character and terminated by a new line. Items beginning with a semicolon ';' are treated as comment.

Two sections are relevant [Toolbox] and [Help]; others are ignored. This means that an ini file can be shared with other applications. The [Toolbox] name is required only if it is preceded by another section. A section is terminated by a ‘[‘ as the first character on a line.

An ini file must have a tool item but this is only required item. If there is more than one tool item, the last one is used.

There can be as many file and args items as required and they can be in any order. If there are any embedded spaces in the text of a file item, Toolbox will enclose the text in quotes. This is, in fact, the reason for having distinct file and args items. Note that if you want to redirect input or output this should be specified by an args item and not as part of a file item. This might not be a problem, but if the file item text has any included spaces in it the redirection will be included in the quote marks and thus hidden from the operating system. The file and args items are copied to the arguments box when you click on the Arguments button, where they can be checked and, possibly, tailored to that particular run.

Toolbox does not process an ini file until an attempt is made to use it. All errors are ignored, except when there is no tool entry. If there is more than one [Help] section, then only the first one is used.