Register as Shared File - what is the significance?

[NewsArchive]

What does registering a file as "Shared" do? How does it affect performance,
security, etc? Should Topspeed data files be registered as shared?

Thanks in anticipation
Warren Marshall

[NewsArchive]

Warren,

A shared file is a file that is (potentially) used by more than one
application. To ensure that a shared file is not removed prematurely, the
system maintains a SharedDlls reference count (ref count) for each shared
file. This reference count is incremented each time an application is added
that uses the file and is decremented when the application is removed. Only
when the reference count reaches 0, it is safe to physically remove the file
from the system. When the registry value reaches 0, you will receive a
message asking if you want to remove the shared file, which means there is
no application using the shared file. In almost all cases, you can click
Yes and remove the shared file. The shared file is permanently deleted, and
the hard disk space freed. If you choose No, it will not harm your
computer. If you are unsure whether or not to remove the shared file, click
No.

Shared files allow for the creation of more efficient applications and save
time because the same code does not have to be created for each application.
It is created once and used by many applications.

HTH,

--
Friedrich Linder
Lindersoft
www.lindersoft.com
+1.954.252.3910

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