Re: [boost] [filesystem] home_directory_path

Subject: Re: [boost] [filesystem] home_directory_path
From: Jeff Flinn (TriumphSprint2000_at_[hidden])
Date: 2010-10-19 08:11:14

Christian Holmquist wrote:
>>  You might be better off calling SHGetFolderPath with a CSIDL value like
>>> CSIDL_APPDATA.
>>> http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb762181.aspx
>>> http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb762494.aspx
>>>
>>>
> I think CSIDL_APPDATA is not the correct flag, we're using the following
> args to SHGetFolderPath, and it appears to work
> 
>    char path[MAX_PATH];
>    bool success = SUCCEEDED(SHGetFolderPath(NULL, CSIDL_PERSONAL |
> CSIDL_FLAG_CREATE, NULL, 0, path))));

CSIDL_PERSONAL corresponds to the user's 'My Documents' folder, whereas 
CSIDL_PROFILE corresponds to the user's profile directory which is more 
consistent with the POSIX 'HOME' directory.

Also consensus from discussion on temp_directory_path was that the 
library should *not* create a directory if one doesn't exist.

Hmm, the other drawback of this function is the lack of ability to get 
the buffer size, and no documented error code corresponding to 
insufficient buffer size. Is it guaranteed that the buffer size = 
MAX_PATH is always sufficient?

> ..and I think this would be a most useful addition to boost::filesystem.

Me too. I've needed this in projects for several different employers 
over the years.

Jeff