title: Maven: Pom file - externalizing dependency versions to a properties file
body: <p>I'd like to externalize the dependency versions in the POM file to a properties file. </p>
  
  <p>Example: <code>pom.xml</code></p>
  
  <pre><code>&lt;dependency&gt;
      &lt;groupId&gt;junit&lt;/groupId&gt;
      &lt;artifactId&gt;junit&lt;/artifactId&gt;
      <b>&lt;version&gt;${externalized.junit.version}&lt;/version&gt;</b>
  &lt;/dependency&gt;
  </code></pre>
  
  <p><code>abc.properties</code></p>
  
  <pre><code>externalized.junit.version=4.8.2
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Can this be done? If so, what would be the best way to do it?</p>