Which `InputStream` Method Should I Use to Load Files in Different Application Servers?

Using Various InputStream Methods for File Loading

To load a file as an InputStream, programmers have several options to consider. This discourse compares and contrasts three common methods:

1. this.getClass().getClassLoader().getResourceAsStream(fileName)
2. Thread.currentThread().getContextClassLoader().getResourceAsStream(fileName)
3. this.getClass().getResourceAsStream(fileName)

Method Interpretation Differences

The primary distinction between these methods lies in how they interpret the provided fileName. ClassLoader.getResourceAsStream() and Class.getResourceAsStream() use different approaches:

Class.getResourceAsStream(path):

• Considers path as a path within the package of the calling class.
• Example: String.class.getResourceAsStream("myfile.txt") searches for "java/lang/myfile.txt" in the classpath.
• An initial "/" indicates an absolute path, starting from the root of the classpath.
• Example: String.class.getResourceAsStream("/myfile.txt") searches for "./myfile.txt" in the classpath.

ClassLoader.getResourceAsStream(path):

• Treats all paths as absolute paths.
• Example: String.class.getClassLoader().getResourceAsStream("myfile.txt") and String.class.getClassLoader().getResourceAsStream("/myfile.txt") both search for "./myfile.txt" in the classpath.

Suitability Considerations

In your specific case, deploying in WebSphere 6.1, you should utilize Thread.currentThread().getContextClassLoader().getResourceAsStream(fileName). This choice aligns with the recommended practice for loading resources within an application server environment. this.getClass().getResourceAsStream() can also be suitable in this context.

Additional Considerations for Tomcat Users

For Tomcat users running versions earlier than 8, note that ClassLoader.getResourceAsStream() and Class.getResourceAsStream() may behave differently than expected. Ensure you thoroughly evaluate your code's behavior in these environments.

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