ONLINE PROGRAM-UPDATING SYSTEM AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM STORING A PROGRAM-UPDATING PROGRAM

There is provided an online program-updating system which is capable of updating contents of a program without interrupting any services provided by the system. A management information storage section stores management information including operative status flags each indicative of the operative status of a corresponding program module and information of a version number associated with the corresponding program module. A program execution section updates operative status flags based on the operative statuses of the program modules. A version number check section makes a comparison between the version number of each program module of a revised program and that of each program module of the existing program in response to a download request, and determines that an update of the program is required, if the version number of the program module of the revised program is newer. An operative status determination section checks on the operative status flag associated with each program module in the existing program, and determines that the update of the program is permitted, if the program module is an "inactive" operative status. A program transfer section executes download of a program module the update of which is determined to be required and at the same time permitted.