Properties Files vs. War/Ear files

All,
 
If I understand the concept correctly, one should put their "softcoded"
things into a properties file. This could be connection strings (if
you're not using WebSphere data sources), Web Services addresses, URLs
you access that are different between test and production, etc.
 
Now, the properties file is "wrapped" into the WAR file that's deployed
to websphere. So, once deployed you go into the properties file and make
your changes? Am I good so far? If so, what's the process for deploying
updates? If I re-deploy the WAR file then I'll overwrite the properties
file, so I have to make my changes again? 
 
Is there a way to exclude the properties file from the WAR and have WS
leave it on the server?
 
-Walden
 
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Walden H Leverich III
Tech Software
(516) 627-3800 x11
WaldenL@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.TechSoftInc.com <blocked::http://www.techsoftinc.com/> 

Quiquid latine dictum sit altum viditur.
(Whatever is said in Latin seems profound.)