org.springframework.context (Spring Framework 3.2.1.RELEASE API)
Date: 2013-01-24

# Package org.springframework.context

This package builds on the beans package to add support for message sources and for the Observer design pattern, and the ability for application objects to obtain resources using a consistent API.

See: Description

- Interface Summary
  Interface | Description
  --- | ---
  ApplicationContext | Central interface to provide configuration for an application.
  ApplicationContextAware | Interface to be implemented by any object that wishes to be notified of the `ApplicationContext` that it runs in.
  ApplicationContextInitializer<C extends ConfigurableApplicationContext> | Callback interface for initializing a Spring `ConfigurableApplicationContext` prior to being refreshed.
  ApplicationEventPublisher | Interface that encapsulates event publication functionality.
  ApplicationEventPublisherAware | Interface to be implemented by any object that wishes to be notified of the ApplicationEventPublisher (typically the ApplicationContext) that it runs in.
  ApplicationListener<E extends ApplicationEvent> | Interface to be implemented by application event listeners.
  ConfigurableApplicationContext | SPI interface to be implemented by most if not all application contexts.
  EmbeddedValueResolverAware | Interface to be implemented by any object that wishes to be notified of a StringValueResolver for the resolution of embedded definition values.
  EnvironmentAware | Interface to be implemented by any bean that wishes to be notified of the `Environment` that it runs in.
  HierarchicalMessageSource | Sub-interface of MessageSource to be implemented by objects that can resolve messages hierarchically.
  Lifecycle | Interface defining methods for start/stop lifecycle control.
  LifecycleProcessor | Strategy interface for processing Lifecycle beans within the ApplicationContext.
  MessageSource | Strategy interface for resolving messages, with support for the parameterization and internationalization of such messages.
  MessageSourceAware | Interface to be implemented by any object that wishes to be notified of the MessageSource (typically the ApplicationContext) that it runs in.
  MessageSourceResolvable | Interface for objects that are suitable for message resolution in a `MessageSource`.
  Phased | Interface for objects that may participate in a phased process such as lifecycle management.
  ResourceLoaderAware | Interface to be implemented by any object that wishes to be notified of the ResourceLoader (typically the ApplicationContext) that it runs in.
  SmartLifecycle | An extension of the `Lifecycle` interface for those objects that require to be started upon ApplicationContext refresh and/or shutdown in a particular order.

- Class Summary
  Class | Description
  --- | ---
  ApplicationEvent | Class to be extended by all application events.

- Exception Summary
  Exception | Description
  --- | ---
  ApplicationContextException | Exception thrown during application context initialization.
  NoSuchMessageException | Exception thrown when a message can't be resolved.

## Package org.springframework.context Description

This package builds on the beans package to add support for message sources and for the Observer design pattern, and the ability for application objects to obtain resources using a consistent API.

There is no necessity for Spring applications to depend on ApplicationContext or even BeanFactory functionality explicitly. One of the strengths of the Spring architecture is that application objects can often be configured without any dependency on Spring-specific APIs.