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diff --git a/libnetdata/config/README.md b/libnetdata/config/README.md deleted file mode 100644 index c3a9d147..00000000 --- a/libnetdata/config/README.md +++ /dev/null @@ -1,58 +0,0 @@ -<!-- -title: "Netdata ini config files" -custom_edit_url: https://github.com/netdata/netdata/edit/master/libnetdata/config/README.md -sidebar_label: "Netdata ini config files" -learn_status: "Published" -learn_topic_type: "Tasks" -learn_rel_path: "Developers/libnetdata" ---> - -# Netdata ini config files - -Configuration files `netdata.conf` and `stream.conf` are Netdata ini files. - -## Motivation - -The whole idea came up when we were evaluating the documentation involved -in maintaining a complex configuration system. Our intention was to give -configuration options for everything imaginable. But then, documenting all -these options would require a tremendous amount of time, users would have -to search through endless pages for the option they need, etc. - -We concluded then that **configuring software like that is a waste of time -and effort**. Of course there must be plenty of configuration options, but -the implementation itself should require a lot less effort for both the -developers and the users. - -So, we did this: - -1. No configuration is required to run Netdata -2. There are plenty of options to tweak -3. There is minimal documentation (or no at all) - -## Why this works? - -The configuration file is a `name = value` dictionary with `[sections]`. -Write whatever you like there as long as it follows this simple format. - -Netdata loads this dictionary and then when the code needs a value from -it, it just looks up the `name` in the dictionary at the proper `section`. -In all places, in the code, there are both the `names` and their -`default values`, so if something is not found in the configuration -file, the default is used. The lookup is made using B-Trees and hashes -(no string comparisons), so they are super fast. Also the `names` of the -settings can be `my super duper setting that once set to yes, will turn the world upside down = no` - -- so goodbye to most of the documentation involved. - -Next, Netdata can generate a valid configuration for the user to edit. -No need to remember anything or copy and paste settings. Just get the -configuration from the server (`/netdata.conf` on your Netdata server), -edit it and save it. - -Last, what about options you believe you have set, but you misspelled? -When you get the configuration file from the server, there will be a -comment above all `name = value` pairs the server does not use. -So you know that whatever you wrote there, is not used. - - |