Each registry key can contain data items called value entries. Keys are analogous to directories, and value entries are analogous to files.
A value entry has three parts: the name of the value, the data type of the value, and the value itself, which can be data of any length. The three parts of value entries always appear in the same order.
Data types, such as REG_SZ or REG_EXPAND_SZ, describe the format of the data which can be up to 1 MB. Data types from 0 to 0x7fffffff are reserved for definition by the system, and applications are encouraged to use these types. Data types from 0x80000000 to 0xffffffff are reserved for use by applications.
The following table lists and defines the data types currently used by the system.
|
Data type |
Description |
|
REG_BINARY |
Binary data. For example: Component Information : REG_BINARY : 00 00 00... |
|
REG_DWORD |
Data represented by a number that is 4 bytes long. Many keys for device drivers and services are this type and can be displayed in Registry Editor in binary, hexadecimal, or decimal format. For example, entries for service error controls are this type: ErrorControl : REG_DWORD : 0x1 |
|
REG_EXPAND_SZ |
An expandable data string, which is text that contains a variable to be replaced when called by an application. For example, for the following value, the string %SystemRoot% will be replaced by the actual location of the directory containing the Advanced Server system files: File : REG_EXPAND_SZ : %SystemRoot%\file.exe |
|
REG_MULTI_SZ |
A multiple string. Values that contain lists or multiple values in human readable text are usually this type. Entries are separated by NULL characters. AlertNames : REG_MULTI_SZ : Administrator tom |
|
REG_SZ |
A sequence of characters representing human readable text. For example, a component’s description is usually this type: DisplayName : REG_SZ : Alerter |
You can use the Registry Editor to view registry entries for the various components in Advanced Server. You can also use Registry Editor to modify or add registry entries.
The Registry Editor application, Regedt32.exe, does not appear in any default folders. It is installed automatically in the %SystemRoot%\system32 folder on Windows NT systems. Click Run on the Start menu or switch to a command prompt and type regedt32.