Getting the path of the java file your code is in

Question

Hey,
How can I get the full path of where my java file is on my computer in my java code?
Something like this is what I want:
this.getFilePath();
Thanks! / Ellen

Answer 1

I posted a utlity class to help you do this awhile back:
http://forum.java.sun.com/thread.jsp?thread=425748&forum=31&message=1895876
As far as the posters question of why you would want to do that, determining the correct location to read .properties files is a pretty decent reason. Another would be determining where a JAR file is located that needs to be updated with an auto-updater. And another is determining where to save data and/or log files. And another might be to do a checksum over various pieces of a JAR to make sure it hasn't been tampered with. And another....
I think you get the point. Because Java does not have a command line entry point (i.e. the name of an executable that was used to start it's process), this is pretty much the equivalent.
And for all of you that use relative pathnames (i.e. starting with ./), that is just waiting to bite you. You should NEVER make the assumption that the current path is where you think it is. Much safer to use the utility above so you know for sure where your class is installed.
Cheers!
- K