Updating a JAR file in a shared folder

Question

Hi,
I have a JDK 6 Swing app running in a Windows Terminal Server. All users share the same JAR file. I start it using a bat file something like this:
start /b c:\progra~1\java\jre\bin\javaw -jar gestor.jarAll works fine when users share the same JAR.
However, when I try to update JAR file to a new version, "sometimes" (not always) when there are some users with JAR file running by JVM, it occurs some strange behaviours with the app, errors like JVM would become lost/crazy with a JAR in RAM and other JAR in disk.
Is not this a good approach to update the app? Is it better to disconnect all users before update app?

Answer 1

I don't know what SUNs policy on this is. But if I were you, I'd create a link (shortcut in windows) to the JAR file, and when you have a new version, put it in the same folder as the previous release, but with a different name, and update the link/shortcut. Users should only know about the link/shortcut. Depending on the behaviour of the windows shortcut, users using the JAR file will still use the old file as you update the link to point to the new file. Feasible?