Caste-centric modelling of multi-agent systems: The CAMLE modelling language and automated tools

Abstract

Agent technology is widely perceived to be a viable solution for large-scale industrial and commercial applications in dynamic environments such as the Internet. However, the lack of rigour and language support in the analysis, specification, design and implementation of multi-agent systems has hampered the wide adoption of agent technology. This chapter proposes a model-driven approach to the development of multi-agent systems. It combines graphic modelling with formal specification through automated tools. The chapter reports an agent-oriented modelling language CAMLE and the automated tools in its modelling environment. Two aspects of particular importance in the model-driven development methodology are addressed in this chapter. The first is the definition and implementation of consistency constraints on graphic models. The second is the automated transformation of graphic models into formal specifications. © 2005 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.