Finding absolute path

Question

I am looking at code new FileInputStream("config.properties").

I have the same file "config.properties" in multiple places in my project(doing windows file search) and I am now confused as to which one does this function call refer to. How do i get to know the absolute path of file?

I found this on the internet but this location doesnt look like the right answer.

"ClassName".class.getProtectionDomain().getCodeSource().getLocation().getPath() but this doesnt look it. Can you please correct it if I am wrong

use File file = new File("config.properties");file.getAbsolutePath(); — NullPointerException, Apr 11 '13 at 15:30
Right. I was looking at FileInputStream class and tried if it had any method to find the absolute path but i can just pass the path name to File class and then find the answer. — Srujan Kumar Gulla, Apr 11 '13 at 15:37

score 7 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 11 '13 at 15:25

7

You can use File:

File f = new File("config.properties");
System.out.println(f.getAbsolutePath());

The path returned will be deduced from the current working directory.

answered Apr 11 '13 at 15:25

hmjd

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thanks. Is there any way I can change and set a relative path for my program and start referencing other directories using that directory as base? – Srujan Kumar Gulla Apr 11 '13 at 15:31
You can determine your program's current directory using `new File("")`. Then construct all path's from that. – hmjd Apr 11 '13 at 15:39
sure. But can I change that reference point to some other directory which is more relevant? – Srujan Kumar Gulla Apr 11 '13 at 15:44
@srujangulla, do you mean change the current working directory of the program? If so, I don't think it is possible (also see http://stackoverflow.com/questions/840190/changing-the-current-working-directory-in-java). – hmjd Apr 11 '13 at 15:45

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 11 '13 at 15:26

1

File f = new File("config.properties");
String dirPath = file.getParentFile().getAbsolutePath()

answered Apr 11 '13 at 15:26

Achintya Jha

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thanks. Is there any way I can change and set a relative path for my program and start referencing other directories using that directory as base? – Srujan Kumar Gulla Apr 11 '13 at 15:36

Finding absolute path

2 Answers2