Convert RST to Properties

Why Convert RST to Properties?

Converting reStructuredText (RST) documents to Java Properties format enables extracting configuration data from documentation for direct use in applications. This is particularly useful when documentation contains configuration examples, default values, or settings that need to be used in actual applications.

RST field lists and definition lists naturally map to key-value pairs, making the conversion logical and intuitive. When your documentation contains structured configuration data using RST's field list syntax (`:key: value`), converting to Properties creates immediately usable configuration files.

This conversion is valuable for maintaining single-source-of-truth documentation. Instead of duplicating configuration data in both documentation and application files, you can document settings in RST and generate Properties files for application use. This ensures documentation and actual configuration stay synchronized.

For internationalization projects, RST documentation containing translatable strings can be converted to Properties files for use as message bundles. This streamlines the workflow of extracting text content from documentation for localization purposes.

Key Benefits of Converting RST to Properties:

• Configuration Extraction: Pull settings from documentation into usable config files
• Single Source of Truth: Document settings once, use in both docs and apps
• i18n Workflow: Extract translatable strings for localization
• Java Integration: Generate native Java configuration files
• Documentation Sync: Keep documentation and configuration aligned
• Automation Ready: Integrate into build pipelines and CI/CD
• Spring Boot Compatible: Generate application.properties from docs

Practical Examples

Example 1: Field List to Properties

Input RST file (config.rst):

Database Configuration
======================

:db.host: localhost
:db.port: 5432
:db.name: production
:db.user: admin
:db.pool.size: 10

Output Properties file (config.properties):

# Database Configuration
db.host=localhost
db.port=5432
db.name=production
db.user=admin
db.pool.size=10

Example 2: Definition List Extraction

Input RST file (settings.rst):

Application Messages
====================

welcome.message
    Welcome to our application!

error.notfound
    The requested resource was not found.

button.submit
    Submit

button.cancel
    Cancel

Output Properties file (messages.properties):

# Application Messages
welcome.message=Welcome to our application!
error.notfound=The requested resource was not found.
button.submit=Submit
button.cancel=Cancel

Example 3: Spring Boot Configuration

Input RST file (spring_config.rst):

Spring Boot Settings
====================

Server Configuration
--------------------

:server.port: 8080
:server.servlet.context-path: /api

Logging Configuration
---------------------

:logging.level.root: INFO
:logging.level.org.springframework: DEBUG
:logging.file.name: app.log

Output Properties file (application.properties):

# Spring Boot Settings
# Server Configuration
server.port=8080
server.servlet.context-path=/api

# Logging Configuration
logging.level.root=INFO
logging.level.org.springframework=DEBUG
logging.file.name=app.log

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is a Java Properties file?

A: A Properties file is a simple text format for storing configuration key-value pairs. It's been part of Java since JDK 1.0 (1996) and is the standard format for application configuration, internationalization, and localization in Java applications.

Q: How are RST field lists converted?

A: RST field lists (`:key: value`) are directly converted to Properties format (`key=value`). The field name becomes the property key, and the field body becomes the value. Colons are replaced with dots or removed based on the key structure.

Q: What about RST sections and headers?

A: Section headers are converted to comments in the Properties file, providing context and organization. This preserves the documentation structure while creating valid Properties format.

Q: Can I use this for Spring Boot configuration?

A: Yes! The generated Properties files are fully compatible with Spring Boot's application.properties format. Document your configuration in RST and generate Spring Boot configuration files automatically.

Q: How are special characters handled?

A: Special characters in values are properly escaped according to Properties file specifications. Unicode characters are converted to escape sequences (\uXXXX) when necessary for compatibility.

Q: Can I convert back from Properties to RST?

A: Yes, the reverse conversion is also possible. Properties keys become RST field names, and values become field bodies. Comments can be converted to section headers or preserved as RST comments.

Q: What about multi-line values in RST?

A: Multi-line RST field values are converted using the Properties line continuation syntax (backslash at end of line) or combined into a single line, depending on the content structure.

Q: Is this useful for i18n message bundles?

A: Absolutely! Document your translatable strings in RST, then generate Properties message bundles for Java ResourceBundle usage. This is ideal for maintaining translatable content in documentation format.