Hot Method Replace for debugging applications on WebSphere Application Server

With Hot Method Replace, you can modify your source code while debugging without restarting the application or server.
Restriction: This page only applies to WebSphere Application Server Version 6.0.x or earlier. Hot Method Replace is enabled by default for WebSphere Application Server Version 6.1 or later.

To enable hot method replace for WebSphere® Application Servers started from within IBM® Rational® Software Development Platform: In the Overview tab for the server editor, ensure that the Enable hot method replace in debug mode check box is selected.

To enable hot method replace when starting WebSphere Application Servers from outside IBM Rational Software Development Platform:

  1. In the Administrative Console, go to the Debugging Service page for your server.
  2. Ensure that the Enable service at server startup or Startup check box is selected.
  3. In the arguments field, add the following argument to the beginning of the arguments list: -Xj9 -Dcom.ibm.ws.classloader.j9enabled=true
  4. Restart the server.

When debugging applications on WebSphere Application Server using hot method replace, there are some limitations. To learn about these limitations, see the WebSphere Application Server debug limitations topic.

Related concepts
Hot Method Replace for debugging Java applications
Related reference
Java and mixed language debug limitations
WebSphere Application Server debug limitations

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