System.getProperty("user.dir") anomaly in Eclipse

Question

In my current project settings, I have configured Eclipse to place the compiled .class files in the /bin directory.

My puzzle is that, when I run the application via the IDE and get it to print the current working directory (System.out.println(System.getProperty("user.dir")) I expect the console output to be /bin - instead the value printed is the projectRoot folder (without the /bin suffix).

If I were to navigate to the /bin folder directly, and execute my java class, the current working directory is printed as I expect it to be. What I would like is the Eclipse IDE to behave similarly.

Any ideas as to why I am observing this disparity? I have gone through many project build settings, but cannot seem to find anything that would cause this anomaly.

Kind regards, Dinuk

Answer 1

In Eclipse, the working directory defaults to the project directory.
You can change this in the run properties
(Project->Properties->Run/DebugSettings->Edit->Arguments tab, at the bottom of the page).

Edit: Actually, the easiest way to get to it is Run->Open Run Dialog->Arguments tab.
It's been a while since I used Eclipse.

From an example of Eclipse Setup New Project

alt text http://apps.sourceforge.net/mediawiki/sprite2d/nfs/project/s/sp/sprite2d/a/ae/EclipseNewProjectDebugArguments.jpg