A proposal for structuring Petri net-based agent interaction protocols

Abstract

In this paper we introduce net components as means for structuring Petri net-based agent interaction protocols. We provide a tool for effortless application of net components to nets. Thus we facilitate the construction of nets and unify their appearance. Net components can be used to derive code for interaction protocols from a subset of extended AUML (Agent Unified Modeling Language) interaction protocol diagrams. This allows for a smooth integration of some traditional software development specification approaches with high-level Petri nets. By using net components we do not only unify the structure of Mulan agent protocols but also succeed to build a common language within a community of developers who share the net components. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2003.