How do I parse an INI file in C with inih?

Use the ini_parse function with a callback handler that matches sections and names; the README provides a clear example where you define a handler to populate a configuration struct based on key-value pairs.

What are the differences between inih and Python's ConfigParser?

inih allows name=value pairs without a section (treated as empty string) and handles multi-line entries as separate values for the same key, unlike ConfigParser which requires sections and concatenates continued lines.

Can inih handle Unicode file paths on Windows?

Yes, but it requires extra steps: you must use _wfopen() to open the file with UTF-16 support and then call ini_parse_file(), as inih doesn't include native wchar_t or Unicode handling.

Is there a way to get all sections from an INI file using inih?

Not directly with the core library; since it uses SAX-style callbacks, you need to accumulate sections manually in your handler, or use a community fork like Blandinium/inih that adds GetSections() functionality.

How to use inih in a C++ project for simple access?

Use the provided INIReader class to load and query values via Get() methods; however, for more advanced features, the README suggests forks as the C++ API is basic and not actively developed.

inih vs other INI parsers like simpleini for C++?

inih excels in minimalism and low memory usage for embedded C projects, but if you need a richer, in-memory C++ API with convenience methods, libraries like simpleini might be more suitable despite larger footprints.

inih — Lightweight C INI File Parser

What is inih?

inih is a lightweight .INI file parser written in C, designed to parse configuration files efficiently with minimal resource usage. It solves the problem of reading INI-formatted settings in embedded systems and other memory-constrained applications where larger parsing libraries are impractical. The library uses a SAX-style callback mechanism, processing entries without loading the entire file into memory.

Target Audience

Developers working on embedded systems, IoT devices, or any C/C++ project requiring a simple, low-overhead configuration parser. It's also suitable for applications where minimal dependencies and small binary size are critical.

Value Proposition

Developers choose inih for its tiny code footprint, configurability, and reliability in resource-limited environments. Unlike heavier parsing libraries, it offers essential INI parsing features without bloat, making it ideal for systems where every byte counts.

Simple .INI file parser in C, good for embedded systems

Use Cases

Best For

Parsing configuration files in embedded systems with limited RAM
Adding simple settings management to C/C++ applications without external dependencies
Projects requiring a minimal, auditable codebase for security-critical environments
Cross-platform tools that need consistent INI handling across Windows, Linux, and embedded OSes
Educational purposes to understand simple file parsing techniques in C
Lightweight middleware components that read INI files without allocating large buffers

Not Ideal For

Projects needing full in-memory configuration trees for random access or modification
Applications requiring support for modern formats like JSON, YAML, or TOML natively
Teams prioritizing a feature-rich, drop-in C++ API without external dependencies or forks

Pros & Cons

Pros

Minimal Code Footprint

The entire parser is only a few pages of C code, making it easy to audit and integrate into security-critical or resource-constrained projects, as highlighted in the README.

Memory-Efficient SAX Parsing

Uses a callback-based approach that processes name=value pairs without loading the entire file into memory, ideal for embedded systems with limited RAM, per the project's design philosophy.

Highly Configurable Syntax

Offers compile-time options to enable or disable features like multi-line entries, BOM handling, and inline comments, allowing fine-tuned control over parsing behavior.

Flexible Input Sources

Supports parsing from files, strings, or custom streams via dedicated functions (e.g., ini_parse_file, ini_parse_string), providing versatility for different I/O scenarios.

Cons

Basic C++ API Limitations

The included INIReader class is minimal and not actively maintained by the author, who recommends forks for advanced features like GetSections(), adding friction for C++ users.

Incompatible with Full ConfigParser

Has key differences from Python's ConfigParser, such as allowing no-section items and handling line continuations as separate values, which can break cross-compatibility for some use cases.

Compile-Time Configuration Overhead

Requires preprocessor defines to adjust features, adding setup complexity compared to parsers with runtime options, and may involve rebuilding for different environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is inih?

Target Audience

Value Proposition

Use Cases

Best For

Parsing configuration files in embedded systems with limited RAM
Adding simple settings management to C/C++ applications without external dependencies
Projects requiring a minimal, auditable codebase for security-critical environments
Cross-platform tools that need consistent INI handling across Windows, Linux, and embedded OSes
Educational purposes to understand simple file parsing techniques in C
Lightweight middleware components that read INI files without allocating large buffers

Not Ideal For

Projects needing full in-memory configuration trees for random access or modification
Applications requiring support for modern formats like JSON, YAML, or TOML natively
Teams prioritizing a feature-rich, drop-in C++ API without external dependencies or forks

Pros & Cons

Pros

Minimal Code Footprint

The entire parser is only a few pages of C code, making it easy to audit and integrate into security-critical or resource-constrained projects, as highlighted in the README.

Memory-Efficient SAX Parsing

Uses a callback-based approach that processes name=value pairs without loading the entire file into memory, ideal for embedded systems with limited RAM, per the project's design philosophy.

Highly Configurable Syntax

Offers compile-time options to enable or disable features like multi-line entries, BOM handling, and inline comments, allowing fine-tuned control over parsing behavior.

Flexible Input Sources

Supports parsing from files, strings, or custom streams via dedicated functions (e.g., ini_parse_file, ini_parse_string), providing versatility for different I/O scenarios.

Cons

Basic C++ API Limitations

The included INIReader class is minimal and not actively maintained by the author, who recommends forks for advanced features like GetSections(), adding friction for C++ users.

Incompatible with Full ConfigParser

Has key differences from Python's ConfigParser, such as allowing no-section items and handling line continuations as separate values, which can break cross-compatibility for some use cases.

Compile-Time Configuration Overhead

Requires preprocessor defines to adjust features, adding setup complexity compared to parsers with runtime options, and may involve rebuilding for different environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

inih

What is inih?

Overview

Use Cases

Best For

Not Ideal For

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Projects

Found a gem we're missing?

inih

What is inih?

Overview

Use Cases

Best For

Not Ideal For

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Projects

Found a gem we're missing?