I started my project format in XML. The only thing I didn't like is that it's not as easy to manually edit as say, INI, or Fodders Idea (which I might embrace and extand). However, XML is really a great candidate for this. I think XML easily wins over INI anyday, in terms of compatibility and Enhacnements... my delimma is this: my IDE will also appear on Linux and yep, Mac OS 9/ and X. If I stick with INI, I have to write some classes for Linux, and Mac that emulate how INI works. XML is already written. Else if I embrace and Extand Fodders idea, I still only writing it once (mostly).
_Shawn
Aren't you writing your IDE in Delphi as well? :) Kylix (Delphi for Linux) has the TMemIniFile class included. So, if you write in Delphi for Windows, you can use INI files in Kylix on Linux as well.
Thomas Jaeger: ...and still limit yourself to the platforms where delphi+friends are available.