Is there a way to have the Apache Web Server re-read httpd.conf without having to restart Apache?

I am trying to figure out how to create an Apache Virtual Host without having to re-start the Web Server.

Is there a way to have the Apache Web Server re-read httpd.conf without having to restart Apache?

I%26#039;ve never found a way to do this yet myself. On many linux hosts though they do appear to have this ability to add virtual hosts to their apache setup without restarting their httpd service. I%26#039;d like to know how too.

I%26#039;ve checked through the apache dos on httpd.apache.org but got rather lost while I was there.

To be honest, on windows it might not be possible.

J