Accessing a file in the local folder.

Question

I want to create a File object using a file that is in the same folder as the JAR file. But I don't want to type in the entire path name. So how do I do this?
Here's an example of what I'm doing:
Instead of:
File file = new File("C:\\folder\\doc.txt");Just have:
File file = new File("doc.txt");except this doesn't work.

Answer 1

There's a relatively efficient way of finding the program's jar file (getClass().getProtectionDomain().getCodeSource().getLocation()), but it's probably not what you really want.
If the file is a read only resource then put it inside the .jar and use getClass().getResourceAsStream() to read it.
If it's to be written then how about sticking it in your home directory, or below it. (System.getProperty("user.home")). (+ \Application Data\myApplication ?)
Current directory isn't all that useful on Windows, it's more a shell script concept. But that's what a simple file name will give you.
You can run your program from a link, and set the current directory in that link (generate a link from java.exe or javaw.exe and add the parameters yourself).
Or you can ask the user where he wants the file the first time, and store the file path in a Preferences object.