Question

I would just like to know… Does this code work in linux and mac as well as windows?

Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.ApplicationData)

The reason I ask is because I know that windows manages appdata differently than Mac and linux.

Answer 1

In Java, there is a difference in how to acquire the application data directory between Windows and unix operating systems. As for C#, the language your example code is in (despite the question being tagged “java”), I can’t say for sure.

In the past, I’ve always used the AppData folder on Windows and simply the unix home for unix systems.

public static String getAppDataPath() {
    if (System.getProperty("os.name").contains("Windows")) {
        return System.getenv("APPDATA");
    } else {
        return getUnixHome();
    }
}

public static String getUnixHome() {
    String home = System.getProperty("user.home");
    return home != null ? home : "~";
}

Also note that on unix systems, it is preferable to make appdata in the user home hidden, so you should begin your files with . on mac and linux.