The invention provides a method and system for managing memory for software modules in a computer processing environment. According to a first aspect of the invention, a method includes allocating memory for a first software module. The method also includes loading the first software module into the allocated memory. The first software module includes processor executable instructions for loading a second software module into memory. The method further includes registering the first software module for service and loading the second software module. According to a second aspect of the invention, a method is provided for releasing memory allocated according to the first aspect of the invention. Systems and articles of manufacture for managing memory for software modules are also described.