Servlet : try to read pdf file using servlet in eclipse

Question

i am try to read the file using ServletContext `

InputStream is = servletContext.getResourceAsStream(path)

the value of path is :

path = D:\Assignments\.metadata\.plugins\org.eclipse.wst.server.core\tmp0\wtpwebapps\HelpGuide\GeneratedReports\userDetail.pdf`

the userDetail.pdf file is exist in given path , but when i try to get the resource as stream using servlet context define as above , the value of is is null .

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Feb 24 '13 at 23:03

This is because the getResourceAsStream looks to a path relative to the context root. Checkout javadoc of servlet context and especially the "getResource" part: http://docs.oracle.com/javaee/6/api/javax/servlet/ServletContext.html#getResourceAsStream(java.lang.String) You should use a relative path and put your pdf in your classpath, that would be a better practice as your app will not rely on an absolute path.

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Feb 24 '13 at 23:01

0

This is such a bad idea, as the servlet is telling you.

Put that PDF in the CLASSPATH (e.g. WEB-INF/classes of your WAR) and read it as an InputStream from the servlet context.

Absolute paths are the wrong way to go for web apps.

answered Feb 24 '13 at 23:01

duffymo

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but this is eclipse ide , if i place the file in WEB-INF , then what is the file path ? – Harmeet Singh Taara Feb 24 '13 at 23:03
See my answer, but that is why you should use relative path and not absolute path. – benzonico Feb 24 '13 at 23:04
the absolute file path is get from `getServletContext().getRealPath("fileName"))` method. – Harmeet Singh Taara Feb 24 '13 at 23:05
sir , how to deal with eclipse, in eclipse there is no classes folder in WEB-INF? – Harmeet Singh Taara Feb 24 '13 at 23:07
1

Yes there is. Where do you think your serlvet .class file is compiled to? Create one that you can see and put your PDF there. – duffymo Feb 24 '13 at 23:09
If you are using maven you can put your pdf in the "src/main/resources" folder and it will be "compiled" (more precisely copied) into the WEB-INF/classes directory on your web app server. Do not forget to add the directory to the list of deployment inclusion in the application deployment on server configuration of Eclipse. – benzonico Feb 24 '13 at 23:17
i place the file , where .class files are generated but , the `FileNotFoundException` throw. – Harmeet Singh Taara Feb 24 '13 at 23:19
if you do so you cannot use the getRealPath you mentioned above. As the path for getResourceAsStream is "relative". – benzonico Feb 24 '13 at 23:22
@benzonico - why on earth would you advise someone who has such a poor understanding of Java to use Maven? That's madness. – duffymo Feb 24 '13 at 23:47
when try to create the file using eclipse , it will return false . why? – Harmeet Singh Taara Feb 24 '13 at 23:49
@duffymo LOL! note that i did not advice to, but mention that if you use it... :) – benzonico Feb 24 '13 at 23:51

Servlet : try to read pdf file using servlet in eclipse

2 Answers2