• What does the product do? The AP Library gives you an implementation of the core concepts and an algorithm for Adaptive Programming (AP): you get an interface and implementation for the concepts of class graphs, traversal strategy graphs, traversal graphs and an algorithm to compute traversal graphs from class graphs and traversal strategy graphs. The AP Library is easy to learn and use by Java Programmers. The AP Library builds on the observation pioneered by the Demeter project that succinct subgraph specifications are very useful in a variety of software development contexts. The product is the result of 10 years of research and development in Adaptive Programming.
• Why is the product useful? The product gives you a well working implementation of an utterly useful, non-trivial algorithm. Possible applications include: specification of scope in objects (e.g., which object fragment should be persistent, which object fragment should be transferred, in which object fragment should a parameter be visible), specification of cross-cutting in Aspect-Oriented Programming, specification of traversals in objects, adaptive specification of sets of classes, how should a "simple" graph be mapped to a more "detailed" graph, etc. The AP Library is used by DemeterJ (www.ccs.neu.edu/research/demeter/DemeterJava/) and DJ (www.ccs.neu.edu/research/demeter/DJ).
• Platforms. The AP Library is implemented in Java (using DemeterJ, the big sister of DJ) and is available in 100% pure Java source form. It runs on all platforms where Java runs.
• How to get it. We distribute the AP Library as a research prototype. www.ccs.neu.edu/research/demeter/software/APLibrary. For general information on Demeter, see: www.ccs.neu.edu/research/demeter.

Supported by DARPA and Rome Laboratory under agreement F30602-96-0239 (Evolution of Software Via Adaptive Programming), Karl Lieberherr (PI) lieberherr@ccs.neu.edu.

Acknowledgements: Algorithm development: Boaz Patt-Shamir http://www.ccs.neu.edu/research/demeter/biblio/strategies.html. Implemented by Doug Orleans.

We develop the AP Library using a Bazaar approach. Please send us your bug fixes and improvements to dem@ccs.neu.edu and we will integrate them.

version June 11, 1999