Unable to get resources using getResource()

Question

I'm trying to get an image to use in a JButton, with the code:

ImageIcon imageIcon = new ImageIcon(MineSweeper.class.getResource("C:\\Users\\___\\Documents\\GitHub\\____\\myImage.png"));
buttons[x][y].setIcon(imageIcon);

I know the file exists there, however every time I run it I get the error,

Exception in thread "AWT-EventQueue-0" java.lang.NullPointerException
at javax.swing.ImageIcon.<init>(ImageIcon.java:205)

Which after looking around says that is the response for not being able to find the file, I'm confused as to what I'm doing wrong here. I get this error if I try to use absolute or relative paths, can someone point out what's wrong? I must be over looking something really simple here.

EDIT:

As Alan suggested to move the file, I put it into the src folder and it worked fine. Apparently having it else where won't work.

Answer 1

Try something like this for setting the image icon

ImageIcon imageIcon = new ImageIcon(getClass().getResource("myImage.png"));

Your image file should be located within the src folder if your using an IDE. If your not using an IDE , put the image in the same folder as your .java files.