How do I use ResourceBundle to avoid hardcoded config paths in Java apps?

Question

I'd like to eliminate dependencies on hardcoded paths for configuration data in my Java apps, I understand that using ResourceBundle will help me use the classloader to find resources.

Can someone tell me how I would replace a hardcoded path to a resource (say a .properties configuration data file required by a class) with appropriate use of ResourceBundle? Simple clear example if possible, thanks all.

Answer 1

Prior to Java 6, ResourceBundle typically allowed:

• Strings from a group of localised properties files, using PropertyResourceBundle
• Objects from a group of localised classes, using ListResourceBundle

Java 6 comes with the ResourceBundle.Control class which opens the door to other sources of ResourceBundles, for example:

• XML files (see example 2 in Javadoc)
• Database rows

Hope this helps.