Programming structures for adaptive ambient systems

Schimdt observes that programming language design is about identifying the appropriate abstractions for the domain of the application; in essence, capturing the unique features of the domain or paradigm in the language. In the area of Ambient (or Ubiquitous) computing, much work has been done on the development of point-examples of technology highlighting the potentials of ambient systems. Much of this work relies on the implicit descriptions of context and the adaptation within the systems is premised on knowledge of this contextual data. In this paper we take the lead from programming language design and present a context flow language that allows the developer to abstract the contextual characteristics of a given application away from the "intent" of the program. Essentially providing a contract for a given application that facilitates the adaptation to a given environment.