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I have some questions about the usage of the close() method when using Java InputStreams. From what I see and read from most developers, you should always explicitly call close() on an InputStream when it is no longer needed. But, today I was looking into using a Java properties file, and every example I have found has something like this: Properties props = new Properties(); try { props.load(new FileInputStream("message.properties")); //omitted. } catch (Exception ex) {} With the above example, there is no way to explicitly call close() because the InputStream is unreachable after it is used. I have seen many similar uses of InputStreams even though it seems to contradict what most people say about explicitly closing. I read through Oracle's JavaDocs and it does not mention if the Properties.load() method closes the InputStream. I am wondering if this is generally acceptable or if it is preferred to do something more like the following: Properties props = new Properties(); InputStream fis = new FileInputStream("message.properties"); try { props.load(fis); //omitted. } catch (Exception ex) { //omitted. } finally { try { fis.close(); } catch (IOException ioex) { //omitted. } } Which way is better and/or more efficient? Or does it really matter?

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