Abstract. The move from traditional desktop computing environment to ubiquitous and mobile computing have brought to the front Context-aware applications which are capable of providing appropriate information and services to the user depending upon the computational/user context. This paper attempts to discuss the concept of Context-awareness from functionality perspective. The components and characteristics of Context-aware systems are identified and described in terms of the requirements expected from other applications. The different architectural approaches used in the envisioning of context-aware systems are presented to highlight the functionalities and quality concerns which dictate their choice. Moreover, Context-aware frameworks and middleware which facilitate the efficient development of Context-aware applications are highlighted as instantiations of various architectural styles. Finally, the paper highlights the importance of context-awareness for pervasive computing by discussing sample applications in diverse fields of education, health and tourism.

Abstract.Ubiquitous computing is an ultra-interdisciplinary field. Because of its capacity to affect every sphere of human life, it is endowed with a wide range of characteristics and features. This paper attempts to describe the more salient and diverse features of Pervasive Computing in an organized manner that appreciates the multi-disciplinary nature of the field. Five categories: Setup, design, architecture, deployment and operations; interface; security; engineering and socio-economic; are used to systematically outline the current characteristics of Ubiquitous computing. Sample applications from the field of Ubicomp are also discussed to illustrate some of the characteristics of pervasive computing. Moreover, we have also tried to highlight the challenges and opportunities for implementing Pervasive Computing in the context of developing countries. .