TRAP/J: Transparent generation of adaptable java programs

Abstract

This paper describes TRAP/J, a software tool that enables new adaptable behavior to be added to existing Java applications transparently (that is, without modifying the application source code and without extending the JVM). The generation process combines behavioral reflection and aspect-oriented programming to achieve this goal. Specifically, TRAP/J enables the developer to select, at compile time, a subset of classes in the existing program that are to be adaptable at run time. TRAP/J then generates specific aspects and reflective classes associated with the selected classes, producing an adapt-ready program. As the program executes, new behavior can be introduced via interfaces to the adaptable classes. A case study is presented in which TRAP/J is used to introduce adaptive behavior to an existing audio-streaming application, enabling it to operate effectively in a lossy wireless network by detecting and responding to changing network conditions. © Springer-Verlag 2004.