Patent ID: 8239519

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for providing autonomic recovery of messages, comprising: creating a temporary file for a communication session, the temporary file accessible to a messaging client, and the temporary file identifying a communication partner to the communication session, via the messaging client, and a start time of the communication session, the communication session is implemented via one of an instant messaging application and a text messaging application; monitoring the communication session; defining a triggering event and actions to be taken in response to the triggering event via user-configurable settings, the actions to be taken including a message-based action, the message-based action selectable as one of a plurality of message-based actions including saving all messages for the communication session, saving selected messages for the communication session, and saving no messages for the communication session; upon the occurrence of the triggering event logging the time of the triggering event in the temporary file; logging the time of any messages received after the time of the triggering event; and storing the messages in the temporary file; and presenting the messages in response to initiation of another communication session with the communication partner, the other communication session implemented via corresponding one of the instant messaging application and the text messaging application; wherein the user-configurable settings specify an action to be taken for received but unread messages for the communication session.