Convert ORG to INI

Why Convert ORG to INI?

Converting Org-mode documents to INI format is useful when you need to generate configuration files from structured Org data. If you maintain application settings, database configurations, or system parameters in Org-mode for documentation purposes, you can export them to INI files for actual use.

Org-mode's property drawers map naturally to INI sections and key-value pairs. Each Org heading can become an INI section, and the properties within become configuration keys. This allows you to document your configuration while also generating usable config files.

INI is one of the simplest and most universal configuration formats. Almost every programming language has built-in or standard library support for parsing INI files. The converted files can be used immediately with Python's configparser, PHP's parse_ini_file, or countless other tools.

This conversion is particularly valuable in DevOps and system administration workflows. You can maintain configuration documentation in Org-mode, complete with explanations and examples, then export clean INI files for deployment.

Key Benefits of Converting ORG to INI:

• Config Generation: Generate usable config files from documented settings
• Universal Compatibility: INI works with virtually all programming languages
• Human Readable: Non-technical users can edit INI files
• Simple Format: No complex syntax or learning curve
• Documentation: Keep configs documented in Org, export for use
• Version Control: Both formats work well with Git
• Legacy Support: Compatible with older systems and tools

Practical Examples

Example 1: Application Configuration

Input ORG file (config.org):

#+TITLE: Application Configuration

* General
:PROPERTIES:
:app_name: MyApp
:version: 1.0.0
:debug: false
:END:

* Database
:PROPERTIES:
:host: localhost
:port: 5432
:name: myapp_production
:user: app_user
:END:

* Logging
:PROPERTIES:
:level: INFO
:file: /var/log/myapp.log
:max_size: 10MB
:END:

Output INI file (config.ini):

[General]
app_name = MyApp
version = 1.0.0
debug = false

[Database]
host = localhost
port = 5432
name = myapp_production
user = app_user

[Logging]
level = INFO
file = /var/log/myapp.log
max_size = 10MB

Example 2: Development Environment

Input ORG file (dev.org):

#+TITLE: Development Environment Settings

* Editor
:PROPERTIES:
:theme: dark
:font_size: 14
:tab_width: 4
:auto_save: true
:END:

* Git
:PROPERTIES:
:user_name: John Developer
:user_email: [email protected]
:default_branch: main
:END:

Output INI file:

[Editor]
theme = dark
font_size = 14
tab_width = 4
auto_save = true

[Git]
user_name = John Developer
user_email = [email protected]
default_branch = main

Example 3: Game Settings

Input ORG file (game.org):

#+TITLE: Game Configuration

* Graphics
:PROPERTIES:
:resolution: 1920x1080
:fullscreen: true
:vsync: on
:quality: high
:END:

* Audio
:PROPERTIES:
:master_volume: 80
:music_volume: 60
:sfx_volume: 100
:END:

* Controls
:PROPERTIES:
:mouse_sensitivity: 2.5
:invert_y: false
:END:

Output INI file:

[Graphics]
resolution = 1920x1080
fullscreen = true
vsync = on
quality = high

[Audio]
master_volume = 80
music_volume = 60
sfx_volume = 100

[Controls]
mouse_sensitivity = 2.5
invert_y = false

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How are Org headings converted to INI sections?

A: Top-level Org headings (*) become INI section names in [brackets]. Properties within the heading's :PROPERTIES: drawer become key-value pairs in that section. Subheadings can be used to create subsections depending on the converter settings.

Q: What happens to Org content that isn't in properties?

A: Regular paragraph text, lists, and other Org content don't have direct INI equivalents. They may be included as comments (prefixed with # or ;) or omitted. INI is designed for key-value data, not document content.

Q: Can I have nested configurations?

A: Standard INI doesn't support nesting, but some parsers support dotted section names like [Database.Production] or [Database.Development]. The conversion may flatten deeply nested Org structures or use naming conventions.

Q: Are data types preserved?

A: INI files are text-only. Numbers like "5432" and booleans like "true" are stored as strings. The application reading the INI file is responsible for type conversion. This is a fundamental limitation of the INI format.

Q: Can I include comments in the output?

A: Yes, Org text content can be converted to INI comments. Comments in INI typically start with # or ; and are preserved by most parsers. This helps document what each setting does.

Q: Is there a standard INI specification?

A: No, INI has no formal standard, which is both its strength (simplicity) and weakness (inconsistency). Different parsers handle edge cases differently. The conversion produces widely-compatible INI that works with most parsers.

Q: How do I handle arrays or lists?

A: Standard INI doesn't support arrays. Common workarounds include numbered keys (item1, item2, item3) or comma-separated values. If you need arrays, consider JSON or YAML instead of INI.

Q: Can I convert INI back to ORG?

A: Yes, though you'll get a basic Org file with headings and properties. Any comments or documentation in the original Org file won't be recovered from the INI, as INI only stores the key-value data.