# Overview of Programmatic Administration

IIS configuration parameter values are stored in a fast-access, memory-resident data store called the metabase. The metabase is designed specifically for use with IIS and is faster, more flexible, and more expandable than the Windows registry.

This section contains:

- Introduction to the IIS Metabase: Describes the IIS metabase.
- Development Choices for Programmatic Administration: Explains the two ways in which IIS exposes the metabase for programmatic administration.

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