Programming Multi-Agent Systems in AgentSpeak using Jason

by Rafael H. Bordini (University of Durham, UK); Jomi Fred Hü; bner (Universidade Regional de Blumenau, Brazil); Michael Wooldridge (University of Liverpool, UK)

• ISBN13: 9780470061831
• ISBN10: 0470061839
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2008-01-01
• Publisher: Wiley-Interscience

Summary

Jason is an Open Source interpreter for an extended version of AgentSpeak - a logic-based agent-oriented programming language - written in Java'„¢. It enables users to build complex multi-agent systems that are capable of operating in environments previously considered too unpredictable for computers to handle. Jason is easily customisable and is suitable for the implementation of reactive planning systems according to the Belief-Desire-Intention (BDI) architecture.Programming Multi-Agent Systems in AgentSpeak using Jason provides a brief introduction to multi-agent systems and the BDI agent architecture on which AgentSpeak is based. The authors explain Jason's AgentSpeak variant and provide a comprehensive, practical guide to using Jason to program multi-agent systems. Some of the examples include diagrams generated using an agent-oriented software engineering methodology particularly suited for implementation using BDI-based programming languages. The authors also give guidance on good programming style with AgentSpeak.Programming Multi-Agent Systems in AgentSpeak using Jason Describes and explains in detail the AgentSpeak extension interpreted by Jason and shows how to create multi-agent systems using the Jason platform. Reinforces learning with examples, problems, and illustrations. Includes two case studies which demonstrate the use of Jason in practice. Features an accompanying website that provides further learning resources including sample code, exercises, and slidesThis essential guide to AgentSpeak and Jason will be invaluable to senior undergraduate and postgraduate students studying multi-agent systems. The book will also be of interest to software engineers, designers, developers, and programmers interested in multi-agent systems.

Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction

Autonomous Agents

Characteristics of Agents

Multi-Agent Systems

Hello World!

The BDI Agent Model

Agent-Oriented Programming

Practical Reasoning

A Computational Model of BDI Practical Reasoning

The Procedural Reasoning System

Agent Communication

The Jason Agent Programming Language

Beliefs

Goals

Plans

Example: A Complete Agent Program

Exercises

Jason Interpreter

The Reasoning Cycle

Plan Failure

Interpreter Configuration and Execution Modes

Pre-Defined Plan Annotations

Exercises

Environments

Support for Defining Simulated Environments

Example: Running a System of Multiple Situated Agents

Exercises

Communication and Interaction

Available Performatives

Informal Semantics of Receiving Messages

Example: Contract Net Protocol

Exercises

User-Defined Components

Defining New Internal Actions

Customising the Agent Class

Customising the Overall Architecture

Customising the Belief Base

Pre-Processing Directives

Exercises

Advanced Goal-Based Programming

BDI Programming

Declarative (Achievement) Goal Patterns

Commitment Strategy Patterns

Other Useful Patterns

Pre-Processing Directives for Plan Patterns

Case Studies

Case Study I: Gold Miners

Case Study II: Electronic Bookstore

Formal Semantics

Semantic Rules

Semantics of Message Exchange in a Multi-Agent System

Semantic Rules for Receiving Messages

Semantics of the BDI Modalities for AgentSpeak

Conclusions

Jason and Agent-Oriented Programming

Ongoing Work and Related Research

General Advice on Programming Style and Practice A Reference Guide

EBNF for the Agent Language

EBNF for the Multi-Agent Systems Language

Standard Internal Actions

Pre-Defined Annotations

Pre-Processing Directives

Interpreter Configuration

Bibliography

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.