1. A method for updating Enterprise JavaBeans (EJB) classes, each EJB class being managed by an application server, the application server maintaining a database of active EJB classes, the method comprising: defining an update plug for an existing EJB class; assigning the update plug to the existing EJB; and compiling the existing EJB class using the update plug to generate a dependent EJB class, the dependent EJB class using an adapter and a contract to gain access to methods of the dependent EJB class, each method being associated with an algorithm defining a locking timestamp.