---
title: Introduction to Dynamically Loading Code
framework: cocoa
role: article
path: apple-archive/documentation/Cocoa/Conceptual/LoadingCode
---

# Introduction to Dynamically Loading Code

Explains how Cocoa applications can dynamically load code during execution.

## Organization of This Document

To learn about the concepts related to dynamic loading, read the following articles:

- [About Loadable Bundles](Concepts/AboutLoadableBundles.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/20001268-BCIDBAEJ) describes how loadable bundles are structured and when you should use them. - [Loadable Bundles in Cocoa](Concepts/CocoaBundles.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/20001269-BAJCIAHA) describes features specific to loadable bundles in Cocoa. - [CFBundle and NSBundle](Concepts/CFNSBundle.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/20001270-BCIDBAEJ) describes the relationship between the Core Foundation CFBundle opaque type and the Cocoa NSBundle class. - [Multi-Bundle Applications](Concepts/MultiBundleApps.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/20001271-BCIDBAEJ) explains how to organize your application into multiple bundles for increased modularity and extensibility. - [Plug-in Architectures](Concepts/Plugins.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/20001272-BCIDBAEJ) describes the plug-in concept and how to architect an application around plug-ins.

The following tasks are covered:

- [Loading Bundles](Tasks/LoadingBundles.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/20001273-CJBDDCAB) - [Creating Loadable Bundles](Tasks/CreatingBundles.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/20001274-CJBDDCAB) - [Building Applications with Multiple Bundles](Tasks/Componentizing.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/20001275-CJBDDCAB) - [Creating Plug-in Architectures](Tasks/UsingPlugins.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/20001276-CJBDDCAB) - [Preventing Name Conflicts](Tasks/NameConflicts.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/20001277-CJBFGCGG) - [Loading Objective-C Libraries From Java](Tasks/runtime.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/20000923-BAJCIIJE) describes how to load an Objective-C dynamic library into a Java application.

## See Also

It is recommended that you read *[Bundle Programming Guide](../../../CoreFoundation/Conceptual/CFBundles/Introduction/Introduction.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/10000123i)* as a prerequisite; this document provides an overview to bundles, including their purpose, types, structure, and the API for accessing bundle resources. *[Resource Programming Guide](../LoadingResources/Introduction/Introduction.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/10000051i)*, which is a document related to *Dynamically Loading Code*, describes how to access non-code bundle resources, particularly those in nib files. [Core Foundation CFPlugIn](Concepts/Plugins.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/20001272-98012) in this document gives a summary of the Core Foundation CFPlugin API architecture.

[Next](Concepts/AboutLoadableBundles.html)

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