To externalize a .properties file, currently I am keeping it in a file system say C:\test\UI\properties and I have created a Environment variable $PROP_LOCATION which points to above file location. So whenever I need to change properties, just I go to that location edit properties and refresh the application. It works like a charm.
So is this the best way? Or is there any other way you professionals suggest me to keep properties file out of war file?
Note: The above thing works fine in both unix and windows environment as I have a "if" condition, if one of the environment variable not found I will check for another environment variable.