Java URL text file to String

Question

I've hosted a text file which I would like to load into a string using java.

My code doesn't seem to work producing errors, any help?

try {
    dictionaryUrl = new URL("http://pluginstudios.co.uk/resources/studios/games/hangman/dictionary.dic");
} catch (MalformedURLException catchMalformedURLException) {
    System.err.println("Error 3: Malformed URL exception.\n"
                     + "         Dictionary failed to load.");
}
// 'Dictionary' scanner setting to file
// 'src/Main/Dictionary.dic'
DictionaryS = new Scanner(new File(dictionaryUrl));
System.out.println("Default dictionary loaded.");

UPDATE 1: The file doesn't seem to load going to the catch. But the file exists.

Shouldn't you be using a FileInputStream to read from a file? Also, can't you use File just for files in your local file system? — Marcelo
– Marcelo, Commented Feb 15, 2012 at 12:57
I'm having problems with reading local files, it works fine in NetBeans, but after building it, the .jar file doesn't seem to read the local files stored in the .jar file. Hence I'm trying to use a URL instead, I'm not sure how to use FileInputStream? — Kristian Matthews-Kennington
– Kristian Matthews-Kennington, Commented Feb 15, 2012 at 12:59
@KristianMatthews: you can't use File or FileInputStream for that matter, to load resources from your jar. Use getClass().getResourceAsStream() instead. — stryba
– stryba, Commented Feb 15, 2012 at 13:03
@stryba How does this work? My files are stored under src/Main/dictionary.txt — Kristian Matthews-Kennington
– Kristian Matthews-Kennington, Commented Feb 15, 2012 at 13:06
I don't know why you wanna load 2.4 mb of text file content into a String. It may take a long time. You should get the data with buffering. — Juvanis
– Juvanis, Commented Feb 15, 2012 at 13:15

Marthin · Accepted Answer · 2012-02-15 12:59:20Z

1

You could do something that this tutorial does

   public class WebPageScanner {
     public static void main(String[] args) {
       try {
         URLConnection connection =
           new URL("http://java.net").openConnection();
         String text = new Scanner(
           connection.getInputStream()).
           useDelimiter("\\Z").next();
       } catch (IOException e) {
         e.printStackTrace();
       }
     }
   }

answered Feb 15, 2012 at 12:59

Marthin

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1 Comment

Kristian Matthews-Kennington Over a year ago

What's the useDelimiter("\\Z").next(); do?

Vinay · Accepted Answer · 2012-02-15 12:57:55Z

0

You need to use HttpClient and retrieve the data as a string or string buffer. then use parse or read as file.

answered Feb 15, 2012 at 12:57

Vinay

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Comments

stryba · Accepted Answer · 2012-02-15 13:01:09Z

0

Something like this should work in your case:

DictionaryS = new Scanner(dictionaryUrl.openStream());

answered Feb 15, 2012 at 13:01

stryba

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1 Comment

stryba Over a year ago

please be more specific, what didn't work, what error did you get?

Community · Accepted Answer · 2020-06-20 09:12:55Z

0

JavaDoc tells us:

File(URI uri)

Creates a new File instance by converting the given file: URI into an abstract pathname.

We can't create and use a File instance for any other resource type (like http).

edited Jun 20, 2020 at 9:12

CommunityBot

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answered Feb 15, 2012 at 13:01

Andreas Dolk

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