1. A method for loading a first version of a class into a second version runtime environment running a second version of the class, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of: receiving a first version of a class, the first version of the class being incompatible with a second version class loader of the second version runtime environment; loading the first version of the class in the second version runtime environment using a first version class loader compatible with the first version of the class; and automatically converting information according to the first version class into an intermediate storage format for use with the second version runtime environment.