registry vs. environment (was re:binary installer)

["Merlin Moncure" <merlin(dot)moncure(at)rcsonline(dot)com>]

To all:

I think there are a couple of things about this issue that have not been
completely thought out.  Moving off of an environment based home
variable should not be taken lightly.  Switching the runtime environment
variables to use the registry will have several unintended consequences:

1. There are several warnings and messages in postgres that explicitly
make reference to environment variables...these now have to be changed
for the win32 port.

2. Application software written in C for PostgreSQL ported from unix may
not necessarily work anymore (assumptions about PGDATA).

3. Just like the registry, the env has a system and a user area to make
settings.  By default, mysql puts it home directory into the system
area.  Nobody on the mysql lists seems to have a problem with this.  

4. Manipulating the environment is generally easier (either using SET or
parameter invocation from the command line) and has little/no win32
centric coding.

5. The PeerDirect port uses environment settings, and I found it easy to
work with...why fix something that isn't broken?

Regards,
Merlin