## Uses of Class
java.util.prefs.Preferences

- Packages that use Preferences
  Package | Description
  --- | ---
  java.util.prefs | This package allows applications to store and retrieve user and system preference and configuration data.

- - ### Uses of Preferences in java.util.prefs

    Subclasses of Preferences in java.util.prefs
    Modifier and Type | Class | Description
    --- | --- | ---
    `class` | `AbstractPreferences` This class provides a skeletal implementation of the `Preferences` class, greatly easing the task of implementing it.

    Methods in java.util.prefs that return Preferences
    Modifier and Type | Method | Description
    --- | --- | ---
    `Preferences` | NodeChangeEvent.`getChild()` Returns the node that was added or removed.
    `Preferences` | PreferenceChangeEvent.`getNode()` Returns the preference node that emitted the event.
    `Preferences` | NodeChangeEvent.`getParent()` Returns the parent of the node that was added or removed.
    `Preferences` | AbstractPreferences.`node(String path)` Implements the `node` method as per the specification in `node(String)`.
    `abstract Preferences` | Preferences.`node(String pathName)` Returns the named preference node in the same tree as this node, creating it and any of its ancestors if they do not already exist.
    `Preferences` | AbstractPreferences.`parent()` Implements the `parent` method as per the specification in `parent()`.
    `abstract Preferences` | Preferences.`parent()` Returns the parent of this preference node, or `null` if this is the root.
    `static Preferences` | Preferences.`systemNodeForPackage(Class<?> c)` Returns the preference node from the system preference tree that is associated (by convention) with the specified class's package.
    `Preferences` | PreferencesFactory.`systemRoot()` Returns the system root preference node.
    `static Preferences` | Preferences.`systemRoot()` Returns the root preference node for the system.
    `static Preferences` | Preferences.`userNodeForPackage(Class<?> c)` Returns the preference node from the calling user's preference tree that is associated (by convention) with the specified class's package.
    `Preferences` | PreferencesFactory.`userRoot()` Returns the user root preference node corresponding to the calling user.
    `static Preferences` | Preferences.`userRoot()` Returns the root preference node for the calling user.

    Constructors in java.util.prefs with parameters of type Preferences
    Constructor | Description
    --- | ---
    `NodeChangeEvent(Preferences parent, Preferences child)` Constructs a new `NodeChangeEvent` instance.
    `PreferenceChangeEvent(Preferences node, String key, String newValue)` Constructs a new `PreferenceChangeEvent` instance.

Submit a bug or feature
For further API reference and developer documentation, see Java SE Documentation. That documentation contains more detailed, developer-targeted descriptions, with conceptual overviews, definitions of terms, workarounds, and working code examples.
Copyright © 1993, 2026, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Use is subject to license terms. Also see the documentation redistribution policy.