Tag for code that loads code dynamically at runtime

Question

I think we could use a tag for questions about loading code at runtime. Ideally, it would apply to all programming languages. Some examples of questions that such a tag could apply to:

Bash

• Function autoloading in bash

Java

• Generated code proxy

JavaScript

• Loading JavaScript files asynchronously
• JavaScript modules loading with eval()

PHP

• Just require a file, or check if_readable first?
• PHP Autoloader Library
• Simple autoloader, but trying to make it psr-compliat

Python

• Load modules conditionally Python
• Scanning a directory for plugins and loading them

Ruby

• Loading 'Plugins' in Ruby
• Return path to rubygems.rb

There is an existing modules tag, but it doesn't quite fit: in some languages, they are closer to the idea of a namespace. plugin is also relevant, but has a connotation that the code is a user-swappable component.

Any idea what to call this tag?

Answer 1

Why not state the obvious??

dynamic-loading all the way! The wikipedia article states:

Dynamic loading is a mechanism by which a computer program can, at run time, load a library (or other binary) into memory, retrieve the addresses of functions and variables contained in the library, execute those functions or access those variables, and unload the library from memory.

While this tag may be associated with java classloading and windows dll's it's exactly describing what the code does.

Answer 2

I feel obliged to suggest monkey-patch (From Wikipedia):

A monkey patch is a way for a program to extend or modify supporting system software locally (affecting only the running instance of the program).

Bazinga!