code: public static int getIntProperty(String key, Properties props)
      {
  
          String s = props.getProperty(key);
  
          if (null == s)
              return 0;
          else
              return Integer.parseInt(s);
      }
docs: Searches for the int property with the specified key in the property list.
  If the key is not found in this property list, the default property list,
  and its defaults, recursively, are then checked. The method returns
  <code>false</code> if the property is not found, or if the value is other
  than "yes".
  
  @param   key   the property key.
  @param   props   the list of properties that will be searched.
  @return  the value in this property list as a int value, or 0
  if null or not a number.