Java configuration framework [closed]

Answer 1

Apache Commons Configuration works great. It supports having the configuration stored in a wide range of formats on the backend including properties, XML, JNDI, and more. It is easy to use and to extend. To get the most flexibility out of it use a factory to get the configuration and just use the Configuration interface after that.

Two feature of Commons Configuration that differentiate it over a straight Properties file is that it support automatic conversion to common types (int, float, String arrays) and it supports property substitution:

server.host=myHost
server.url=http://${server.host}/somePath

Answer 2

If you want to do something advanced (and typesafe), you might want to take a look at this: http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/java/library/j-configint/index.html

Answer 3

I tend to use java.util.Properties (or similar classes in other languages and frameworks) wrapped in an application-specific configuration class most of the time, but I am very interested in alternatives or variations on this. Especially since things can become a bit tricky if graphical configuration dialogs or multiple views on the configuration data is involved.

Unfortunately I don't have any experience with specific libraries for Java (except with the ones I have written myself), but any pointers would be appreciated.

Update

OK. That wasn't entirely true, three is the Spring Java Configuration Project.

Answer 4

I wrote about this a couple of weeks ago and came to the conclusion that XML is one of the most widely used notations.

Is it the best? I don't think so, I really like JSON, but the tooling is still not up to XML so I guess we have to wait and see.

Answer 5

You can try YamlBeans. This way you write whatever classes you want to hold your config data, then you can automatically write and read them to and from YAML.

YAML is a human readable data format. It has more expressive power than java.util.Properties. You can have lists, maps, anchors, typed data, etc.

Answer 6

Here are various options:

• java.util.Properties
• java.util.prefs.Preferences (since Java 5)
• Commons Configuration
• jConfig
• JFig
• Carbon's Configuration Service

You might want to read Comparison of Commons Configuration With JFig and JConfig and Configuring your Applications using JFig for some feedback from various users.

Personally, I've used jConfig and it was a good experience.