CODEWITHSUNDEEP
configurationakka
smeeb
smeeb

Reputation: 29577

Akka default vs runtime configuration

I read the Akka v2.3.11 docs (Java, not Scala) and am still a bit confused about how configuration works. In section 2.9.2 ("Akka and JAR bundling") it states:

Akka’s configuration approach relies heavily on the notion of every module/jar having its own reference.conf file, all of these will be discovered by the configuration and loaded. Unfortunately this also means that if you put/merge multiple jars into the same jar, you need to merge all the reference.confs as well. Otherwise all defaults will be lost and Akka will not function.

Being brand new to Akka and actors, but having been a Java developer for 10+ years, I have never once before seen a reference.conf file in any JAR. So what is Akka talking about here? Are they insinuating that if my Akka project uses, say, Guice and Guava, that I need to define reference.conf files for each of these?!?

Also, can someone confirm my understanding of application.conf vs reference.conf? My understanding is that you are supposed to define a reference.conf that contains default Akka configs, and then also define an application.conf that overrides it? If that's true, why use reference.conf in the first place? Why not just use an application.conf? I'm so confused.

Upvotes: 0

Views: 961

Answers (1)

kostya
kostya

Reputation: 9569

Akka uses typesafe config library, have a look at the documentation https://github.com/typesafehub/config/blob/master/README.md that explains the difference between reference.conf and application.conf.

Basically reference.conf comes with Akka libraries, user shouldn't touch it (but can use as a reference) unless merging multiple jars (not necessary akka jars) that use typesafe config library into one jar.

Upvotes: 1

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