initializing a bean with a list properties

[masrawi]

Hi,
I want initialize a property of the type List or Map but from an external *.properties file. is this possible?

[wpoitras]

Hi,
I want initialize a property of the type List or Map but from an external *.properties file. is this possible?

Doing a Map is easy because a Properties object implements Map. You can convert a file to a Properties object using PropertiesFactoryBean

For list you would have to create a List compatible class that could accept a Map. What would you return as each element of the list? In order to write the custom List class you'd have to figure that out.

[jeremyblythe]

Can you expand you explanation for me? I am using a PropertyOverrideConfigurer defined as follows in my web application context:

    <bean id="overrideConfig" class="org.springframework.beans.factory.config.PropertyOverrideConfigurer">
	    <property name="location"><value>file&#58;///mydir/myprops.properties</value></property>
    </bean>

This works perfectly for overriding simple value properties from the external properties file. What I would like to do is override a Map property:

    <bean id="myBean" class="mystuff.MyBean">	    	
    	<property name="myMap">
	    	<map> 
        		<entry key="2"><value>two</value></entry>
        		<entry key="3"><value>three</value></entry>
        	</map>  	    
        </property>      	
    </bean>

How can I define "myMap" from an external file? Any solution is welcome it doesn't have to use the PropertyOverrideConfigurer.

Thanks.

[wpoitras]

<bean id="myBean" class="mystuff.MyBean">          
   <property name="myMap">
      <bean class="org.springframework.beans.factory.config.PropertiesFactoryBean">
       <property name="location">
         <value>file&#58;///mydir/myprops.properties</value>
       </property>
      </bean>    
    </property>         
</bean>