A controller synthesis algorithm for building self-adaptive software

A novel approach for building self-adaptive software based on a controller synthesis algorithm is presented. Self-adaptive software is a relatively new idea aiming at producing applications that can readily adapt in the face of changing user needs, desires and environment. Self-adaptive software has multiple ways of accomplishing its purpose, enough knowledge of its construction and is capable of changing behaviour when it does not accomplish its goal or when better functionality or performance is possible. The presented approach for building self-adaptive software uses ontological models of software components, which represent the environment, the composition, the required behaviour, and the possible configurations for the self-adaptive software. Self-adaptation is based on a supervisory control algorithm that reconfigures and controls software components in order to achieve their required behaviour. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.