The evaluation of the configuration concepts, which are used within the range Linux, becomes difficult on the first view, since the question touches also the fundamental discussion around Windows or Linux. Linux is a prime example for the use of simple text files for depositing attitudes. This basic adjustment, '' Everything is A file '' is pursued since its developing history by groups of developers with different goal.
Since these differences become also not in the future less, it is not to be foreseen that it will give a uniform system with Linux. On the one hand this attitude forces a larger research field, on the other hand gives this development less area for a generally accepted total concept.
These basic adjustments have however a crucial advantage opposite Windows, which is exemplarily represented by the two example illustrations of the KDE: Each change of the system, all the same whether by console, graphic surface is or direct interference into the configuration file logically and fast comprehensibly. That is to the one much responding, since everything can be changed fast by hand, besides is it, if it does not concern system files, not as riskily as an interference into the Windows Registry.
On the other hand one must find and recognize these files only once in the file system, in which format, This XML, Registry are written or C-similarly, them. The developers of application software have it under Linux comparatively simply.
Interfaces to other programs or libraries are, like each source code also, well-known and can be used, in order to use system-far data.
A summary of the pro and cons of linux basedly configuration concepts:

Evaluation of linux basedly Configuration concepts158

Advantages

Disadvantages

Simple configurableness for users and developers by well-known structures and This a higher stability than Windows Easy comprehensibleness Time sharing system and network ability High support by tools Opens the way to innovative solutions Quick development cycles by a large developer municipality Reduced fault liability, since data are relatively independent Uniform storage of the system data All configuration files are in detail described in the manuals and How tons of guidances The right system of Linux leads to a high security also with the configuration files

Discoverableness and identification of the data Redundancy Actualization of all data limits possible Generally applies: there is few (Businesses) - software and little driver for Linux Installations and mechanism of system is usually more complex than with Windows