Relative path for properties file

Question

I'm using a properties file:

try 
{
    properties.load(new FileInputStream("filename.properties"));
} 
catch (IOException e) 
{
}

Where should I place filename.properties? I don't want to specify absolute path as this code has to work in different platforms. I tried to place it in the same directory as de class but it doesn't work. (Sorry if it's a stupid question)

Maybe I can get the path where the current class is placed somehow?

Solution

be sure that your property file is available to your compiled (.class) file and get it this way

getClass().getResource("filename.properties") // you get an URL, then openStream it

or

getClass().getResourceAsStream("filename.properties") // you get an InputStream

Example:

import java.net.URL;
public class SampleLoad {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        final URL resource = SampleLoad.class.getResource("SampleLoad.class");
        System.out.println(resource);
    }
}

this main retrieves its own compiled version at runtime:

file:/C:/_projects/toolbox/target/classes/org/game/toolbox/SampleLoad.class

Comments

[de3]

Ok it works, but I have to remove 'file:/' from that path, so I have to replace "new FileInputStream(filename.properties)" in my code with: FileInputStream(resource.toString().substring("file:/".lengt‌​h(),resource.toStrin‌​g().length()))); `

[Paul Webster]

@de3, use @Guillaume's second form, getResourceAsStream(*). It will continue to work even if you ship your classes in a jar.