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.
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}