title: Java/JSP Image upload. Where to keep these image files?
body: <p>I am writing a simple application that lets a user upload images. After the upload, the user can tag them or remove them.</p>
  
  <p>I figured out how to upload the files and save them once the files are uploaded. I am keeping tracking of a global path where images are kept. In the database I keep the meta data about the images like file name, tags, etc.</p>
  
  <p>I am using Java/JSP (specifically Stripes framework but my problem is generic).</p>
  
  <p>My question is where do I keep these image files once they are uploaded?</p>
  
  <p>Right now I have two web applications deployed on a Tomcat server. One main web application and other one is the where I upload the images.</p>
  
  <p>But this does not work as I can not see the uploaded images in the main application until  I redeploy/restart Tomcat.</p>
  
  <p>It seems like Tomcat does not pick newly uploaded images automatically.</p>
  
  <p>Does anyone have any solutions?</p>
  
  <p>This is a simple project, so I do not want to store them in a database or use Apache for images. That is all just too complicated for this small project.</p>
  
  <p>Thanks.</p>