java - How do I create a virtual directory in Tomcat 7? -

tomcat installed @ c:\tomcat7\ want deploy .war files in c:\myapp\xyz. example, might have c:\myapps\xyz\myapp.war , should able reach path http://localhost:8080/myapp.

i tried appending bottom of c:\tomcat7\conf\server.xml

      <host           name="myapp"           appbase="c:\myapps\xyz\"           unpackwars="true"           autodeploy="true">       </host>     </engine>   </service> </server> 

this doesn't seem work though don't see myapp listed in management console , not able hit url. else need do?

also, unrelated but, how can not have name of war file tied context name or url path? example, want http://localhost/coolname point c:\myapps\xyz\myapp.war.

unfortunately way tomcat loads war filename tricky limitation.

i use different & os-specific approach: "symbolic links". isn't direct answer, may out anyway.

caveats:

1. i use linux, is
   possible in windows vista &
   windows 7.
2. using wars still awkward using method. wars zip files, best unzip war a
   version-named folder.

solution:

create symbolic links (like virtual directory on filesystem) myapps folder webapps folder.

• this enables "coolname", "coolname-v2", etc.
• each webapp potentially kept in different places in filesystem
• you can 'roll back' or 'upgrade' removing , re-adding symbolic links different targets (make sure "stop" webapp while switching)

linux:

ln -s target_name link_name 

vista/windows 7:

mklink link_name target_name 

in way, can still use c:\tomcat7\webapps\ , specify symbolic links follows:

mklink c:\tomcat7\webapps\coolname\ c:\myapps\xyz\webapp123\ 

(note: wars, you'd need unzip war first)

hth