Hot Reloading for Runtime Code Modifiability via File Monitoring and Dependency Analysis
Xuejie Wu, Shengyao Gu, Junlin Huang, Xiaotian Huo, Hongjin Zhu, Honghui Fan, Liulei Zou · 2025
This paper introduces a novel hot reloading mechanism designed to significantly enhance the software development experience by tackling the inefficiencies of long restart cycles. Our system combines real-time file monitoring, module dependency analysis, and dynamic import into a three-tiered architecture that integrates a high-performance compiled core with interpreted script and visual layers. This architecture enables instantaneous code changes without interrupting the application’s execution, drastically reducing the "code-test" cycle. We demonstrate its application in visual programming environments, where intuitive operations translate into real-time updates by leveraging the performance of the underlying compiled core. By preserving critical application states, our system ensures a smooth and stable transition. Consequently, this leads to substantial improvements in both development efficiency and user experience.