This feature encapsulates the ability to subsitute modified code in a running application through the debugger APIs.  For example, one can recompile a single class and replace the old instance with the new instance.  This minimizes time spent by the developer to make small, incremental changes to their application.

This feature is required by some tools vendors before they move to JPDA.  They
have created hooks in their specialized VM and specialized debugger interfaces
for this functionality.

N/A

Would like verification that we will be working with the main tools vendors on this issue and an understanding of which vendors will adopt this functionality.
 xxxxx@xxxxx  2000-01-13

Most debugger creators will be interested in this, as the feature benefits their users who have large programs that get into a certain state, and need to make minor modifications.  They won't have to shut down, recompile, re-start, and get back to the point.  Huge time savings.  The VM work necessary to accomplish this may be too large for the Merlin timeframe.  Still under investigation.
 xxxxx@xxxxx  2000-01-26

HotSpot VM work - on which this depends - is 4151172.
 xxxxx@xxxxx  2000-04-19




Committing to merlin release


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