Publication
Title
Declarative specifications for the development of multi-agent systems
Author
Abstract
The designing and implementation of a multi-agent system (MAS), where autonomous agents collaborate with other agents for solving problems, constitute complex tasks that may become even harder when agents work in new interactive environments such as the Semantic Web. In order to deal with the complexities of designing and implementing a MAS, a domain-specific language (DSL) can be employed inside the MAS's development cycle. In such a manner, a MAS can be completely specified by programs written in a DSL. Such programs are declarative, expressive, and at the right abstraction level. In this way the complexity of MAS development is then partially shifted to DSL development and the task herein can be much more feasible by using a proper DSL development methodology and related tools. This paper presents and discusses our methodology for DSL development based on declarative formal specifications that are easy to compose, and its usage during MAS development. A practical case-study is also provided covering an example of a MAS's development for expert finding systems. By using denotational semantics for precisely defining the language, we show that it is possible to generate the language automatically. In addition, using attribute grammars makes it possible to have modular methodology within which evolutionary language development becomes easier.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Computer standards and interfaces. - Amsterdam
Publication
Amsterdam : 2016
ISSN
0920-5489
DOI
10.1016/J.CSI.2015.08.012
Volume/pages
43 (2016) , p. 91-115
ISI
000363348100009
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Publication type
Subject
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 10.09.2020
Last edited 30.08.2024
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