Explain how dependencies are managed in OSGi.
OSGi manages dependencies through its unique modular system. Each module, or bundle, declares its own dependencies in a manifest file. This includes both required and optional dependencies. The OSGi runtime then uses this information to resolve the dependencies at launch time. If a dependency cannot be resolved, the bundle will not start, preventing issues from unresolved dependencies.
The framework also supports dynamic dependencies. Bundles can be installed, updated, or uninstalled without restarting the entire application. When a bundle is removed, the OSGi runtime automatically updates any bundles that depended on it. Similarly, when a new version of a bundle is installed, dependent bundles are updated to use the new version if compatible.
This approach provides strong encapsulation and isolation between modules, reducing the risk of version conflicts and making applications easier to manage and scale.
