System for exchanging software processes during execution using threads

A computer system comprising:

• a computer including a message-based operating system;
• application software, executable by said computer, including at least one software component, the software component including a process with an application thread, an exchange port, and an exchange thread;
• and
• means for exchanging an old software component of the application software with a new software component,
• wherein, when the old software component is to be replaced, said exchanging means causes the old software component to carry out a state transfer, to stop at a certain point and to direct available messages to the new software component,
• wherein the old software component to be replaced is adapted for gathering its states after the application thread has stopped at the certain point, and
• wherein the exchange thread of the old software component is used for transferring the states to the new software component through the exchange port.

A method for facilitating exchange of software components for a system comprising a message-based operating system and application software said method comprising the steps of:

• determining that an old software component of the application software is to be exchanged with a new software component,
• causing the old software component that is to be exchanged to perform the steps of:
• stopping an application thread of the old software component at a certain point,
• gathering its states after an application thread has stopped at the certain point,
• using an exchange thread of the old software component to transfer the gathered states to the new software component through an exchange port of the old software component, and
• directing available messages to the new software component.