Final answer:
When working with files in Java, the default behavior is to access files from the same directory as the program's running context. If the file is not in that directory, a full path must be given to locate the file correctly.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Java, if you attempt to open or save a file without specifying a full path, the Java runtime environment assumes that the file is located in the same directory as the program's execution context, which is often the working directory of your application. The working directory is typically the place from where your Java program was invoked. If you need to access a file from a different location, you must provide the relative or absolute path to the file.
This default behavior makes it easier to work with resources for simple projects, but for more complex applications, especially those that may be run from various locations, it becomes essential to manage paths carefully to ensure that the correct files are accessed.