Method for versioning classes loaded in an OSGi-enabled J2EE environment

Abstract

According to exemplary embodiments, a method is provided for versioning classes in an OSGi-enables J2EE environment. A first version of code is packaged into a first OSGi (Open Service Gateway initiative) bundle, and the first version of code is marked for export. A second version of code is packaged into a second OSGi bundle, and the second version of code is not marked for export. A determination is made whether an application needs the first version of code or the second version of code. If the application needs the first version of code, a classloader hierarchy is constructed using existing classloaders. If the application needs the second version of code, a new classloader is created which is able to load application classes and unversioned application server classes normally, while only loading the correct version of versioned code.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.