Editing Autonomic computing (section)

==Conceptual model==
[[Image:AutonomicSystemModel.png|center|300px]]
A fundamental building block of an autonomic system is the sensing capability (''Sensors S<sub>i</sub>''), which enables the system to observe its external operational context. Inherent to an autonomic system is the knowledge of the ''Purpose'' (intention) and the ''Know-how'' to operate itself (e.g., [[Bootstrapping (computing)|bootstrapping]], configuration knowledge, interpretation of sensory data, etc.) without external intervention. The actual operation of the autonomic system is dictated by the ''Logic'', which is responsible for making the right decisions to serve its ''Purpose'', and influence by the observation of the operational context (based on the sensor input).

This model highlights the fact that the operation of an autonomic system is purpose-driven. This includes its mission (e.g., the service it is supposed to offer), the policies (e.g., that define the basic behaviour), and the "[[survival instinct]]". If seen as a control system this would be encoded as a feedback error function or in a heuristically assisted system as an algorithm combined with set of [[heuristic]]s bounding its operational space.