Computer system for managing and configuring application properties and

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and computer program product for managing and configuring program properties of an application program by loading properties from several lists, applying a set of precedence rules to resolve conflicts among properties, and applying the properties to the application program. Properties are listed in a plurality of lists including a list of default property values, a list of host-specific property values, a list of user-specific property values, a list of application-specific property values, and final properties lists. Values in the final property lists override conflicting previously loaded property values. The default properties list is loaded, as is a host-specific properties list, but only values for the then-current host are loaded. The user-specific properties list is loaded. User-defined properties override conflicting default properties. The final system-wide properties list is loaded, its values override any conflicting user-selected property, and such final properties may not be over-ridden by any user-selected property. A final host-specific property list is loaded. Values in the final host-specific property list override any conflicting properties in the host-specific properties list, and a user may not override such final properties. Values are written into a merged property list which is applied to the application program. Users may be assigned to user groups. A set of property lists can be associated with each group so that consistent property values are applied to all users within a group. Property values can be defined for specific application programs by using a default system properties list for the application program, and an overriding system properties list for the application program.