CATS-CAE Reflective Middleware Framework for Adapting Context-Aware Transactional Services: Using a Hybrid Policy-Based Approach

Pervasive environments are characterized by limited computing resources and wireless connectivity. In parallel, current application domains have variable transactional requirements that do not fit the traditional ACID model. As a result, the pervasive environment characteristics are compelling and cannot be supported by conventional solutions that are typically dedicated to a specific application domain and support a limited set of context parameters. This article aims at providing a complete solution that addresses the challenges of the adaptability of context-aware transactional services “CATS” in pervasive environments. Thus, a new framework CATS-CAE was designed, which offers a comprehensive structure of multiple component chains. The adaptation strategy in CATS-CAE is based on a hybrid approach combining the use of adaptation policies, alternative strategy and behavioral adaptation of composite services through the “Profiled Task Class” concept. A probabilistic model is also presented to support the efficiency of the proposed approach.