Where should you store variables for a search program in java?

Question

I'm wondering which is a more effective storage method in java. Would be better to save constants in a class or a resource? The constants will be searched later by my Search program which will go through the list of constants so as to recognize possible options. Also if there is a more efficient method of storing them please say so or if i doesn't matter where i store them.

1). A java class called Search is going to be inputted with two or more constants they will then either access a java class that will redirect them as needed.

2). Search will receive the same information but will look to a external resource to see what possible files match it then corresponding what info was give will open a pathway to the java class it correlated.

Which version should be better or will it not matter?

the values the constants contain are going to be ints but each int will have their own unique meaning.

To clarify why i need these arrays each number is going to have a meaning and the arraylists will hold the numbers like 1 may mean work 2 may mean private and so a private work document would have name PDocument has [1,2] so on and so on hope that clarifies

So which option is more effecient #1 or #2

Answer 1

Would be better to save variables that will not change in a class or a resource?

By definition, a variable is something which will change over time. If it will not change, it is a constant.

Your description sounds, as if there is a index of keywords or topics for documents:

To clarify why i need these arrays each number is going to have a meaning and the arraylists will hold the numbers like 1 may mean work 2 may mean private and so a private work document would have name PDocument has [1,2] so on and so on hope that clarifies

Such keywords or topics may change over time, and then you can't modify them without recompiling the code, if you use enums in your class. Even if the today requirement says, they will not change: In the long run most requirements change. And you might try to solve a different problem, where the list of keywords/topics grows over time.

A map which can be extended, and is read from a file is more flexible.

Answer 2

It sounds like you are talking about variables that will hold constant values. These variables should be declared in the your class that handles the searching.

EX:

private static final int SearchType1 = 0;

You could also create an enum type that will hold your search constants

EX:

public enum SearchTypes {
    SearchType1,
    SearchType2
}

where SearchType1 will be 0, and SearchType2 will be 1