hi mark - thanks for your response.
just to clarify, i am not using a properties file for configuration in this assignment as it says that the examiner must not have to edit any files.
i always use a properties file, for the configuration of the web applications i develop commercially.
what i mean't for the assignment was is it ok/prefered to use ...
java -DflightDatabaseName=db.db -DoperatingMode=R -DdataServerHost=localhost suncertify.userinterface.FlyByNightController
as opposed to
java suncertify.userinterface.FlyByNightController db.db R localhost