Created: June 8th, 1999 | Last updated: June 10th, 1999 | rev 1.1 | author: Timo Boewing (Blazko)
Multiple Data Files
by Timo Boewing (Blazko), Neveprise Inc.
Table of Contents
Introduction
As a programmer you probably know the problem: you want to save your application's data on harddisk. But what if this data is more than a config file, e.g. some images? For example, you plan to create your own Corel Draw - those files must contain several bitmaps plus some configuration entries telling your application where these images have to be placed on the canvas and in what order/planes. Normally, you would have to create an empty folder to save all the bitmaps and the metrics perhaps as an *.ini file.
But there is a better way of course, and that is what we will discuss throughout this document.
What you already have got to know...
For whom is this document written? Well, primary this is intended for Delphi programmers with at least some solid expertise - but do not be afraid that here is very complicated techno-bubble ecetera. If you have little knowlede about Delphi, you should not have big trouble to understand the techniques discussed here.
What exactly will we do?
Simple. First, you should know that in here I will write about basic ways of reaching the goals, although you will find some code examples that you might use for your own projects. If you are lucky to do so, you might work in parallel on your own unit, but I recommend to regard this help as a rough "bringer for ideas" that you read before, so that you will know what problems might head towards you during programming. It is better just to remind the basic concepts shown and then think of your way to create such a unit for your purpose.
Before you start
Always remind that these are only some examples, you will have several chances to adapt or completely renew the ideas shown. However, if you think your solutions are better and you want to share them with others, please send'em to me and I will integrate your work into this document.
If you have questions, proposals or found an error here, you are welcome to write me via eMail: 
mail@neveprise-inc.de