Multi-Language Edit-and-Continue for the Masses

Abstract

We present an Edit-and-Continue implementation that allows regular source files to be treated like interactively updatable, compiled scripts, coupling the speed of compiled native machine code, with the ability to make changes without restarting. Our implementa-tion is based on the Microsoft .NET Framework and allows applications written in any .NET language to be dynamically updatable. Our solution works with the standard version of the Microsoft Common Language Runtime, and does not require a custom compiler or runtime. Because no application changes are needed, it is transparent to the application developer. The runtime overhead of our implementation is low enough to support updating real-time applications (e.g., interactive 3D graphics applications)