Context-aware computing allows modern storage systems to dynamically optimize performance and energy efficiency as the function of a given context. However, existing context-aware techniques are often impractical in file systems.

The paper proposes a framework that aims to simplify the development of context-based file systems and applications by abstracting context-specific solutions as views, enforcing data consistency, and allowing applications to make view selections according to their behaviors. By using the framework, programmers can migrate an application from one solution to another by switching among views rather than changing programming interfaces. The authors have analyzed two case studies demonstrating significant benefits.

I enjoyed reading this paper and found it informative and interesting even though, as a nonspecialist in the field, I would have appreciated an introductory part with a less technical focus and examples. On the other hand, the exhaustive explication of basic concepts and the discussion of existing problems and solutions make the paper understandable for a relatively large audience.