Retrieving the path where the app is started

Question

Hello this is my first post in here and it won't be my last ;-)
I would like to retrieve the Application current path? I can't find it how to do that!
In VB you've got App.Path.
Thnx

Answer 1

Using of System.getProperty("java.class.path") is not better idea. Because if your class path contains some additional paths (dependence from using libraries, for example), then this property will contain all paths separated by ":" for Linux and ";" for Windows OS.(*"/program/class/path:looks-1.3.1.jar:etc"*)
Besides, if, for example, you using Eclipse for development, in project your classes stored in *.../ProjectPath/bin* directory, but if you start you application from jar-file, then first path in property *"java.class.path"* will be contain *.../PathToJar/you.jar* - it necessary call *.getParent()* for get final path and do not forget to check on null for case when application started from program-bin directory.
*"user.dir"* - it is current dirrectory. I guess it same as new File(".").getAbsolutePath(); In development you get right result, but after deployment of application you will be surprised. It is not good idea too.
Now I am parsing *"java.class.path"*, but it is not flexible solution. I hope program bin path always first in this property.
Does somebody know better solution?
Maybe it is possible to get this information from VM.
I need to retrieve this path, because by this path usually I am storing "Data" directory which contains different resources for application.