Java windows Linus File path problem on exist() or isfile() method

[G.Sathish kumar]

Hi

i am using some pdf files need to be opened when user click the link in my web application.
so i need one validation like when no file there in the path the file corresponding name display without link so i use isFile() then exist() method

directory structures

student
web-inf
classes
filedir
some pdf files

so i use application.getContextpath+"//fildir//pdffilesname"

it is working in windows local but when i move this to linus staging is giving problem like the exist method return always false but the file i am able to open through link.

[Ernest Friedman-Hill]

Backward slashes won't work on UNIX, and I wouldn't count on doubled forward ones (why are you doing that?) to work either. Use File.separatorChar rather than a hard-coded separator. Also note that UNIX filesystems are case sensitive, while Windows ones aren't always; be sure to use correct letter case.

[G.Sathish kumar]

Ernest Friedman-Hill wrote:Backward slashes won't work on UNIX, and I wouldn't count on doubled forward ones (why are you doing that?) to work either. Use File.separatorChar rather than a hard-coded separator. Also note that UNIX filesystems are case sensitive, while Windows ones aren't always; be sure to use correct letter case.

i have done that but i am not clear with the concept.

when i access the file from web application context like http://sitename/filepath/file.pdf it is working in windows and not working in linux
but in the os context like //directory/file.pdf if i create the file it working both windows(corresponding file path d:/filpath/file.pdf) and linux

please explaing what is the difference why the web application context is not working in linux?