A computer implemented method, a tangible storage medium, and a data processing system build a runtime environment of a system. A profile manager receives a service request containing a profile identifier. The profile identifier specifies a required version of at least one software component. The profile manager identifies a complete installation of the software component, and at least one delta file. The profile manager dynamically constructs a classpath for the required version by preferentially utilizing files from the at least one delta file followed by files from the complete installation. The runtime environment is then built utilizing the classpath.