WebLogic Server 8.1 supports hot code replace without any special configuration on local servers. While debugging, if you edit a class and recompile, the workbench will automatically attempt to hot code replace. If the hot code replace fails, the workbench will inform you and you will need to republish your modified enterprise application.
All versions of WebLogic Server support re-publish of enterprise applications without restarting the server. Hot code replace allows you to make changes without re-publishing. WebLogic Server 6.1 and 7.0 do not support hot code replace so you will need to re-publish in order to make changes to your enterprise application.
Note: If Build automatically is checked in the Workbench category of the Preferences dialog, compilation and hot code replace occur immediately when modified resources are saved.
Related tasks
Publishing your application