Title: AgentService: a framework to develop distributed multiagent systems

Authors: Christian Vecchiola, Alberto Grosso, Antonio Boccalatte

Addresses: Department of Communication, Computer, and System Sciences, University of Genova, Via Opera Pia 13a, 16145, Genova, Italy. ' Department of Communication, Computer, and System Sciences, University of Genova, Via Opera Pia 13a, 16145, Genova, Italy. ' Department of Communication, Computer, and System Sciences, University of Genova, Via Opera Pia 13a, 16145, Genova, Italy

Abstract: This paper presents AgentService, a framework for developing Multiagent Systems (MAS). The key features introduced with AgentService are a flexible agent model and a modular platform. Agents can perform multitask activities as well as move among different platforms. The MAS is hosted in a modular environment so that the platform can be customised. Several tools come with the programming suite, in particular: a visual protocol designer and a set of language extensions integrated into a professional development environment to ease development.

Keywords: agent-oriented software engineering; multi-agent systems; MAS design; MAS programming; distributed systems; flexible agent models; modular platforms; agent-based systems.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAOSE.2008.019421

International Journal of Agent-Oriented Software Engineering, 2008 Vol.2 No.3, pp.290 - 323

Published online: 11 Jul 2008 *

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