Abstract

Abstract
Self-adaptive software systems are known to respond at run time to changes detected internally or in their environment, in an attempt to keep meeting their own functional requirements and agreed levels of service. Such response usually targets their architectures and involve, in particular, the possibility of their dynamic reconfiguration. In contexts where change is the rule rather than the exception, it is difficult to predict when exactly such reconfigurations are needed, and if they will lead the system into a suitable configuration. However, knowing the main attributes of the context, it is possible to plan configurations that will be more likely to perform well in some conjugation of values for such attributes. In this paper we discuss both a model that lays down reconfiguration strategies, planned at design time, and a strategy which actively uses such a model to trigger architectural adaptations at run time. This strategy builds on a framework intended to the formal verification of architectural requirements, either from a qualitative or quantitative (probabilistic) perspective.

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract
This paper presents a comparative analysis of Free/Libre Open Source Software (FLOSS) Learning Management System (LMS). Following a selection process we analyze the functionalities and characteristics of 8 tools commonly used in formal and informal education. More specifically we focus on the availability of different tools concerning communication and assistance, such as, forum, email, calendar, portfolios, etc. Our analysis showed that despite their similarities, the appropriateness of different FLOSS LMSs can be greatly affected by the specific needs of students, instructors and institutions. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2014.

Abstract
We present a compiler for CAO, an imperative DSL for the cryptographic domain. The tool takes high-level cryptographic algorithm specifications and translates them into C implementations through a series of security-aware transformations and optimizations. The compiler back-end is highly configurable, allowing the targeting of very disparate platforms in terms of memory requirements and computing power. © 2014 Springer-Verlag.