Application framework with abstractions for protocol and agent role

Abstract

In multi-agent systems, agents interact by sending and receiving messages and the actual sequences of message form interaction structures between agents. The development process and the resulting description of the organization of an agent (in order to handle several ongoing interactions) are comprehensive and complex. Abstraction in the form of protocols and agent roles (for internal organization of agents) support these interaction structures: The development process becomes efficient and flexible—and the description becomes understandable. The abstractions protocol and agent roles are supported by a simple and expressive application framework.