reloading context configuration file

[John Holman <j....@qmul.ac.uk>]

Using tomcat 4.1.18, I can deploy an application by copying a context 
configuration file (CCF) to the webapps directory. I can also make 
changes to the WAR file referenced in the CCF, and Tomcat will notice 
provided I stop the application first using Tomcat manager and start if 
afterwards.

However I cannot find a way to have Tomcat see changes in the CCF 
itself, short of stopping and restarting the container. It seems that 
once the application is autodeployed the container caches the contents 
of the CCF. Removing the CCF or changing its contents appears to have no 
effect.

I would have expected that when the application is stopped and then 
started the CCF should be re-read to pick up any changes. Is there a way 
to make this happen?

(By the way I know about the ant deploy task but am exploring alternatives).

Thanks, John.