Java - using System.getProperty("user.dir") to get the home directory

Question

I was wondering if using:

System.getProperty("user.dir");

to get the absolute path of a folder is the best way to go about it? I am looking to pass my application onto other computers and I need a full proof way of getting the 'home' directory so that I can just add onto the path when I need to use other folders by just doing:

String path = System.getProperty("user.dir");
String otherFolder = path + "\\other";

"user.dir" is the current working directory, not the home directory — Evan Sebastian, Jul 12 '14 at 04:52
You seem to be mixing concepts here. `user.dir` is the current directory. The "absolute path" of a `File` object is obtained by `getAbsolutePath()`. — Jim Garrison, Jul 12 '14 at 04:54
Once your title is fixed to express what you're really asking, the question becomes nonsensical. `System.getProperty("user.dir")` is not way to get the home directory at all, it is the way to get the current working directory. -1 for causing yourself confusion. — user207421, Jul 12 '14 at 05:10
Sorry, not what I meant I guess. Just meant the working directory. Wrong choice of words :S — jn025, Jul 12 '14 at 05:16
The question title and actual content is not related. See http://stackoverflow.com/questions/585534/what-is-the-best-way-to-find-the-users-home-directory-in-java for user.home — Jayan, Jul 12 '14 at 05:34

jmj · Answer 1 · 2014-07-12T05:04:48.953

57

way of getting home directory of current user is

String currentUsersHomeDir = System.getProperty("user.home");

and to append path separator

String otherFolder = currentUsersHomeDir + File.separator + "other";

File.separator

The system-dependent default name-separator character, represented as a string for convenience. This string contains a single character, namely separatorChar.

edited Jul 12 '14 at 05:04

answered Jul 12 '14 at 04:51

jmj

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It's "fool-proof", not "full proof"; and no I did not downvote. – Jim Garrison Jul 12 '14 at 04:56
See "JDK-4787931 : System property "user.home" does not correspond to "USERPROFILE" (win)" mentioned in http://stackoverflow.com/questions/585534/what-is-the-best-way-to-find-the-users-home-directory-in-java – Jayan Jul 12 '14 at 05:34
it has been resolved already @Jay – jmj Jul 12 '14 at 06:25

score 8 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 12 '14 at 04:54

8

"user.dir" is the current working directory, not the home directory It is all described here.

http://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/essential/environment/sysprop.html

Also, by using \\ instead of File.separator, you will lose portability with *nix system which uses / for file separator.

answered Jul 12 '14 at 04:54

Evan Sebastian

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Use File.separator for best cross platform or '/'. The '/' works in Java even on Windows. – javajon Jul 12 '14 at 05:17
Thanks for the tip. I never knew that '/' also works in Windows. – Evan Sebastian Jul 12 '14 at 05:19

score 6 · Answer 3 · edited Apr 27 '18 at 09:27

6

Program to get the current working directory=user.dir

public class CurrentDirectoryExample {

    public static void main(String args[]) {

        String current = System.getProperty("user.dir");
        System.out.println("Current working directory in Java : " + current);
    }
}

edited Apr 27 '18 at 09:27

Pang

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answered Apr 27 '18 at 09:02

Chetna Mishra

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Java - using System.getProperty("user.dir") to get the home directory

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