A framework for evolutionary, dynamically updatable, component-based systems

Many distributed applications require 24/7/365 availability, and still need to be updated. We analyze how to update such applications on-the-fly. This a challenging task not only because performing the updates without closing the application is difficult, but also because updates may introduce potential version conflicts between various application components. We develop a framework (called DUCS) that facilitates dynamic updates of component-based distributed applications. DUCS supports adaptation of existing applications, dynamic component replacement, state transfer, and interface modifications by utilizing so-called interface adapters.