Apparatus and methods are provided for accessing and retrieving attribute
name value pairs from properties data stores, such as properties files. According
to one embodiment, attribute values may be associated with properties data store
objects. First, an attempt is made to determine a value of an attribute of an object
by formulating and submitting a first query against the properties data store based
upon a combination of a current context identifier, an object identifier associated
with the object, and an attribute identifier associated with the attribute. If
the first query is unsuccessful at locating the value, then the value is determined
by formulating and submitting a second query against the properties data store
based upon a combination of the object identifier and the attribute identifier.
