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Zooming Multi-Agent Systems

Ambra Molesini, Andrea Omicini, Alessandro Ricci, Enrico Denti
Complex systems call for a hierarchical description. Analogously, the engineering of non-trivial MASs (multiagent systems) requires principles and mechanisms for a multi-layered description, which could be used by MAS designers to provide different level of abstractions over MASs.

In this paper, we first advocate the need for zooming mechanisms, promoting a coherent and consistent multi-layered view of agent systems. After surveying the best-known AOSE methodologies, we focus on the scaling mechanisms of the OPM process-oriented methodology. Then, by adopting SODA as our reference, we show how an AOSE methodology can be enhanced with simple yet expressive zooming mechanisms. Finally, we present a simple case study where the enhanced agent-oriented methodology (SODA+zoom) is exploited and put to the test.
6th International Workshop "Agent-Oriented Software Engineering" (AOSE 2005), pages 193-204, 25-26 July 2005.
Jörg P. Müller, Franco Zambonelli (eds.), AAMAS 2005, Utrecht, The Netherlands 
@inproceedings{soda-aose2005,
	Address = {AAMAS 2005, Utrecht, The Netherlands},
	Author = {Molesini, Ambra and Omicini, Andrea and Ricci, Alessandro and Denti, Enrico},
	Booktitle = {6th International Workshop ``Agent-Oriented Software Engineering'' (AOSE 2005)},
	Editor = {M{\"u}ller, J{\"o}rg P. and Zambonelli, Franco},
	Month = {25--26~} # jul,
	Pages = {193--204},
	Title = {Zooming Multi-Agent Systems},
	Year = 2005}