Question

Just wanted to know. What are the differences between java.util.Properties Vs java.util.HashMap<String, String>? Which is preferable?

Answer 1

They are similar, but from a design perspective, the Properties class is considered to be one of the “mistakes” of java, because it is a Hashtable (rather than using a Hashtable). It should have been an interface.

Always use the abstract where possible, so this is preferred:

Map<String, String> stuff = new HashMap<String, String>();

Tend to avoid using Properties unless you have to.