How to read a .properties file through script

Tim Holloway wrote:The easy way to do it is to note that a Java properties file has the same format as a basic shell script.

However, there's a trick to it. If you just run the properties file like so:

sh appl.properties

The assignments will be made at the sub-level, then discarded when the properties file (script) ends execution.

So to get the properties in a calling script, you need to use the "source" command:

. appl.properties

Note that the space after the initial dot is very important!

To reference shell variable assignments, you use the "$" to indicate variable substitution.

So, to put it all together:
#!/bin/sh # Sample shell script to read and act on properties # source the properties: . appl.properties # Then reference then: echo "My name is $name and I'm $age years old."

Tim Holloway wrote:The easy way to do it is to note that a Java properties file has the same format as a basic shell script.

However, there's a trick to it. If you just run the properties file like so:

sh appl.properties

The assignments will be made at the sub-level, then discarded when the properties file (script) ends execution.

So to get the properties in a calling script, you need to use the "source" command:

. appl.properties

Note that the space after the initial dot is very important!

To reference shell variable assignments, you use the "$" to indicate variable substitution.

So, to put it all together:
#!/bin/sh # Sample shell script to read and act on properties # source the properties: . appl.properties # Then reference then: echo "My name is $name and I'm $age years old."

Jay Dilla wrote:
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Here are a few solutions that are a little more robust: http://shrubbery.mynetgear.net/c/display/W/Reading+Java-style+Properties+Files+with+Shell

sameer sood wrote:This will require making properties file executable