Question

Hi I am using Maven for Selenium automation tests using Java. I am using Excel Sheet to read data for filling up a registration form. Now It is a normal Maven archetype.

src
--main
  --java
    --mypackage for coding goes here.
  --resources
    --data
      -- the excel sheet
--test
  -- some stuff here under java

currently if I want to read a file I am writing src/main/resources/data/theexcelsheet.xlsx
but when I share this jar, I think this will break and I don’t want this to break if I package this jar.

How do I make it platform or format independent.

I am using APACHE POI Api if you are thinking how I am reading files.

Someone reading gave me idea that I might be able to use MANIFEST files to do this but I am not sure, can someone help?

Answer 1

If you use getResource() to point to your file, the syntax of the path always uses / to separate the components, never \ so you do not have to worry.

In general, outside of a jar, for example if you want to save application settings in a folder, you have to use a OS specific separator – you can obtain it this way:

System.out.println("my" + File.separator + "dir");

Returns my\dir on Win and my/dir on Linux

Of course, that’s not enough as you cannot use hardcoded paths like the “c:” drive, but you can get the most common paths reading the System class properties, eg:

System.out.println(System.getProperty("user.home"));

returns C:\Users\piero in Windows7 and /home/piero in Linux