In my BDE application it was simple to point the TDatabase component
at a .gdb file - I used the BDE configuration programs to set up an
alias!

What's the best way to do this for IBO TIBDataset? My project has
a 'system' database which will tell the application where all of the
other databases are located but the application needs to know where
the 'system' database is located. I have experimented with an ini
file which has the advantage of being simple but the disadvantage of
being visible and therefore deleteable. I could use a registry entry
which has the advantage of being invisible but the disadvantage of
requiring it to be set up on each PC.

Any other suggestions please.