This function searches properties file b for the key a and returns its value.

The keys are interpreted as two values separated by a slash defining a from/to range. If a is within that range (including the boundaries), the search is considered successful. If nothing is found, the default value c will be returned.

The type of the comparison is controlled in parameter d. The following values can be specified.

Compare type	Meaning
withcase	The comparison will be lexical and case-sensitive. a is therefore greater than A (Unicode value).
nocase	The comparison will be lexical and case-insensitive. a is therefore equal to A.
numeric	The comparison will be numeric, i.e. only numbers will be compared. 10 is therefore greater than 2. Note: Non-numeric values are interpreted as 0.

Important note: The order the comparison will take place is coincidental, i.e. the ranges should not overlap.

Parameters

Parameter	Description
a	Key to be searched for in b.
b	Name of the properties file.
c	Default value if the key is not found.
d	(optional) Type of comparison. Default: withcase.

Examples

Note: Please note, in general, with regard to escape characters, the structure of a properties file.

The following properties files are defined.

./conf/withalpha.properties

aaaa/zzzz=lower alpha
AAAA/ZZZZ=upper alpha
0/9=below ten

./conf/noalpha.properties

AAAA/ZZZZ=alphas
0/9=below ten

./conf/numbers.properties

0/9=below ten

Parameter a	Parameter b	Parameter c	Parameter d	Result
aaaa	./conf/withalpha.properties	unknown		lower alpha
abcd	./conf/withalpha.properties	unknown		lower alpha
zzzz	./conf/withalpha.properties	unknown		lower alpha
ABCD	./conf/withalpha.properties	unknown		upper alpha
AbCd	./conf/withalpha.properties	unknown		upper alpha
10	./conf/withalpha.properties	unknown		below ten
$	./conf/withalpha.properties	unknown		unknown
abcd	./conf/noalpha.properties	unknown	nocase	alphas
ABCD	./conf/noalpha.properties	unknown	nocase	alphas
AbCd	./conf/noalpha.properties	unknown	nocase	alphas
10	./conf/noalpha.properties	unknown	nocase	below ten
0	./conf/numbers.properties	unknown	numeric	below ten
9	./conf/numbers.properties	unknown	numeric	below ten
10	./conf/numbers.properties	unknown	numeric	unknown