Java properties, getting file path

Question

logpath = LoggerUtils.getProperties().getProperty("log.path"); System.out.println("logpath: " + logpath); 

The above code returns:

 logpath: C:UsersMauriceDesktopLogs 

In the properties file:

 log.path C:\Users\Maurice\Desktop\Logs 

How to save file separators? I want this to work with Linux as well, not just Windows.

Answer 1

Actually, you need to put this in the properties file:

 log.path C:\\Users\\Maurice\\Desktop\\Logs 

See this:

• http://docs.oracle.com/javase/6/docs/api/java/util/Properties.html

More precisely, the load method:

• http://docs.oracle.com/javase/6/docs/api/java/util/Properties.html#load(java.io.Reader )

Scroll down a bit and you will see this among other things:

The method does not process the backslash character, \, before an invalid escape character as an error; the backslash is silently discarded. For example, in a Java string, the sequence "\ z" will result in a compile-time error. In contrast, this method silently removes the backslash. Therefore, this method considers two character sequences "\ b" as equivalent to one character "b".

The backslash \ is an escape character that is otherwise discarded silently.

Answer 2

In the properties file, you need to either use slashes:

 C:/Users/Maurice/Desktop/Logs 

Or, resettable backslashes:

 C:\\Users\\Maurice\\Desktop\\Logs 

Answer 3

You need to avoid the slash as they are special characters. See: Java Backslash Properties

Answer 4

The properties file format indicates the literal path to the window that you should have:

 logpath: C:\\Users\\Maurice\\Desktop\\Logs 

However, Java will automatically convert the path delimiter characters to the runtime platform, so you can avoid this trouble by always using slashes:

 logpath: C:/Users/Maurice/Desktop/Logs 

Answer 5

First you can save Properties to a file and then load it again for use. Properties will take care of slipping / undoing something.