A method, system, and computer-readable code with which a program component can be dynamically selected for downloading, based on current values of one or more changeable attributes. Multiple versions of a program component are available, and a specific version is dynamically selected for downloading based on current attribute values. Attribute values may represent a user's authorization privileges, current working environment, preferences, network connection type, status, etc. In this manner, software can be optimized for particular users or groups of users, or particular environments of hardware and/or software, while still providing applications that are usable by a wide range of users in a wide range of operating environments. In another aspect, this dynamic selection based on attributes can be used to select a version of a component for remote execution, instead of for downloading. The dynamic selection process may occur on a server in the network, or on the client's local machine. In the latter case, selected component versions may be loaded from local storage instead of downloading them from a server. Administrative policy information based on the user's identity and/or group membership may be used to generate the current attribute values, reflecting one or more of: a user's current working environment, authorization privileges, preferences, network connection type, and status.