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Framework

Editorial foundation for CAF: problem definition, why context is lost, and core constructs. This section is under development.

References

• Principles
• Architecture

Last updated: to be set

Framework Roadmap

Problem

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Theory

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Principles

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Patterns

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Reference Architecture

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Reference Implementation

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Research

Contextual Architecture Framework

What Is Contextual Architecture Framework?

CAF is a software architecture framework under active development that treats Context as a central architectural construct rather than transient execution data.

The Architectural Problem

Enterprise systems routinely lose or obscure Context, leading to brittle integrations, duplicated logic, and limited observability.

Why Context Is Usually Lost

Context is scattered across layers, requests, and services, frequently reduced to parameters and local state that cannot persist across boundaries.

Context as an Architectural Asset

CAF treats Context as a durable, queryable architectural object that can be modeled, validated, and propagated across the execution lifecycle.

Active Context

Active Context denotes Context that directly informs runtime decisions, orchestration, and policy evaluation.

Runtime Context

Runtime Context is the operational view of Context during execution available to services, workflows, and integrations to maintain continuity across steps.

Context Lifecycle

CAF considers creation, enrichment, validation, usage, propagation, persistence, and retirement of Context across system boundaries.

The Seven Architectural Principles

Principle 1: Context as a First-Class Architectural Asset

Principle 2: Context Persistence

Principles 357 are in development and will be published with the book.

Patterns

CAF documents patterns for modeling, propagating, and governing Context. Details will be published progressively.

Anti-Patterns

CAF also catalogs anti-patterns that cause Context loss, parameter explosion, and fragile orchestration.

Reference Architecture

The reference architecture demonstrates how Context flows across services, workflows, and integrations. A large diagram is provided on the home page.

Business Central Validation

CAF is validated through a working reference implementation in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. CAF remains platform-independent; Business Central is used exclusively as the primary validation platform.

Book and Research

The book and supporting research will provide formal definitions, principles, patterns, and empirical validation results as development progresses.