Java cannot get environment variable (system property)

Question

I need that my code can get the environment variable when running test with IntelliJ:

private String sdkDir = System.getProperty("sdk.root");

The problem is that this is always null, I have set both in bashrc and also with bash_profile but not really works with Ubuntu.

bashrc and bash_profile both have this:

export JAVA_HOME=/home/xybrek/zulu1.8.0_25-8.4.0.1-x86lx64
export JAVA_OPTIONS="-Dsdk.root=/home/xybrek/java-sdk-1.9.17"
export PATH=$PATH:/home/xybrek/zulu1.8.0_25-8.4.0.1-x86lx64/bin
export PATH

What could be missing with my configuration?

Update:

I cannot change the Java code: System.getProperty("sdk.root"); as this is coming from a compiled Arquillian container I can't modify.

What I need would be a proper way of having this System.getProperty method to get the value.

Where to put this "sdk.root" for IntelliJ to pick it up? In a properties file or bash?

What is the exact Java command line you're running? It looks like you need to explicitly include $JAVA_OPTIONS in the command line invocation - the Java process won't automatically read that environment variable. — nobody
– nobody, Commented Jan 17, 2015 at 17:50
I am just doing right click then Run Test. Like typical manual JUnit test. — quarks
– quarks, Commented Jan 17, 2015 at 17:52
There must be a way of setting the command line options directly in some IntelliJ dialog, for running some specific Java app. Nothing to do with environment variables. — laune
– laune, Commented Jan 17, 2015 at 17:57
Check out: How do you input commandline argument in IntelliJ IDEA?, this is where you need to put -Dsdk.root=something — eis
– eis, Commented Jan 17, 2015 at 18:06

laune · Accepted Answer · 2015-01-17 17:55:44Z

5

You have to use

String val = System.getenv( "PATH" );

for the value of an environment variable. A property value has nothing to do with the Environment of a process.

String val = System.getProperty( "sdk.root");

is for properties.

There should be a way of setting command line arguments in the dialog for preparing the execution of a Java program in your IDE. This is where you should define -Dsdk.root=....

edited Jan 17, 2015 at 17:55

answered Jan 17, 2015 at 17:45

laune

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2 Comments

quarks Over a year ago

Why not System.getProperty ?

laune Over a year ago

Check your IDE's features. In Eclipse, the run dialog has a tab for defining the environment and another one for command line options where you could put the -Dsdk.root=... literally. The environment variable will only work if some agent expands it in the command line calling java, the JVM.

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