title: Java properties: .properties files vs xml?
body: <p>I'm a newbie when it comes to properties, and I read that XML is the preferred way to store these. I noticed however, that writing a regular .properties file in the style of</p>
  
  <pre><code>foo=bar
  fu=baz
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>also works. This would mean a lot less typing (and maybe easier to read and more efficient as well). So what are the benefits of using an XML file?</p>