title: Singleton to read properties file in a Java webapp; correct approach?
body: <p>My spaghetti monster consumes XML from several different SOAP services, and the URL for each service is hardcoded into the application.  I'm in the process of undoing this hardcoding, and storing the URLs in a properties file.</p>
  
  <p>In terms of reading the properties file, I'd like to encompass that logic in a Singleton that can be referenced as needed.</p>
  
  <p>Change this:<br>
      <code>accountLookupURL ="http://prodServer:8080/accountLookupService";</code></p>
  
  <p>To this:<br>
      <code>accountLookupURL =urlLister.getURL("accountLookup");</code></p>
  
  <p>The Singleton would be contained within the urlLister.</p>
  
  <p>I've tended to shy away from the Singleton pattern, only because I've not had to use it, previously.  Am I on the right track, here?</p>
  
  <p>Thanks!<br>
  IVR Avenger</p>