java properties file using multiple lines for one property

Question

I am storing sql in a properties file and injecting it using spring this works :

someSQL = select result from myTable where y = 2 and x = ? order by z 

but for readibility I want this :

    someSQL = select result                from myTable                where y = 2                 and x = ?                order by z 

What is the correct text formatting I need to use ?

Answer 1

Use \ at the end of the line like

  someSQL = select result \               from myTable \               where y = 2  \               and x = ? \               order by z 

Also, beware of any trailing whitespaces since Java looks for consecutive backslash+linebreak when assembling the lines.

Put differently : The backslash has to be the very last caracter on the line before the line break.