Hotswap!

Hotswap!

Hotswap! is a lightweight tool that allows developers to update code and resources in running applications without having to restart them. It works by monitoring file changes and automatically loading updates on-the-fly.
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Hotswap!: Lightweight Code Updates for Running Apps

A tool that enables developers to update code and resources in running applications without restarts, monitoring file changes and loading updates on-the-fly.

What is Hotswap!?

Hotswap! is a lightweight developer tool that enables code changes to be loaded into running applications dynamically without having to restart the application. It works by monitoring source files and resources for changes and automatically loading any updates into the running application.

This can significantly improve developer productivity by removing the need to constantly stop, rebuild and restart an application to test every code change. Instead, code changes can be made and seen live in the running application immediately.

Some key capabilities and benefits of Hotswap! include:

  • Dynamically update application code while the app is running
  • Fast feedback loop - see code changes instantly without restarts
  • Preserves application state between code changes
  • Simplified Java development - no need to rerun main method
  • Lightweight and easy to configure
  • Open source tool with an MIT license

Hotswap! supports hot swapping changes for a number of languages and frameworks including Java, Groovy, Kotlin, Spring and Grails. It can be easily installed into IDEs like IntelliJ, Eclipse and NetBeans to enable smooth hot swapping workflows.

In summary, Hotswap! greatly increases developer productivity and efficiency by enabling instant code updates without application restarts or losing state.

Hotswap! Features

Features

  1. Allows hot swapping of code and resources without restarting the application
  2. Monitors files and automatically reloads changed code/resources at runtime
  3. Supports hot swapping Java classes, XML config files, images, etc
  4. Provides a GUI for configuring hot swap behavior and viewing activity
  5. Integrates with popular IDEs like Eclipse and IntelliJ IDEA
  6. Lightweight and easy to setup

Pricing

  • Free
  • Open Source

Pros

Saves time by eliminating restarts during development

Enables faster iteration and testing cycles

Avoids application downtime in production

Improves developer productivity

Easy to integrate into existing projects

Cons

Can increase memory usage as old classes are retained

May not work correctly with some frameworks or application architectures

Additional debugging and testing required to ensure stability

Risk of introducing bugs if hot swapping is not tested thoroughly


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