Exploring Role Based Adaptation.

The adapter design pattern [1], commonly used for integration and evolution in component-based systems, is originally described by roles. In classbased systems, the conventional realization of the pattern maps these roles to classes. The recent appearance of mature languages supporting roles as first order programming constructs poses the question whether realizing this pattern directly in roles offers benefits comparing to class-based realization. This paper explores the feasibility of role-based adaptation and discusses its benefits and challenges.