Setting Properties Files

A resource bundle stores selected characteristics of an object as key/value pairs in a set of properties (.properties) files. You can store a variety of characteristics in resource bundles, like localized strings or properties for an Ant script.

When used for internationalizing source code, resource bundles contain one properties file for each locale. The key is the name of the property and must be the same in each locale. The value is the localized string displayed by the object at runtime and can vary for each locale.

When you create a resource bundle in the IDE, a properties object node (Properties object node icon) is created in the Filesystems tab of the Explorer. Each properties object node expands to reveal nodes for each of its locales (Properties locale node icon) and keys(Properties key node icon). You can modify a properties file by opening it in the Source Editor or by choosing commands from its node's contextual menu in the Explorer.

The Source Editor has two ways of displaying a properties file: as a standard text file, which lists all of the key/value pairs for a specific locale, or in a formatted properites pane, which enables you to view all properties and their values for all locales.

For information on how to create, remove, and change properties, see:

Creating a .properties File
Adding a Property
Modifying a .properties File
Removing a Property
For information on how to create, remove, and change locales for a property, see:
Adding and Removing a Locale
Editing a Locale

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