Research report: DEIM-RR-07-003
Title
Software Engineering Methodologies to develop Multi-Agent Systems: State-of-the-art
Author/s
Cristina Gómez, David Isern, Antonio Moreno
Date
01-08-2007
Research team
Tecnologies Intel.ligents per a la Gestió Avançada del Coneixement (ITAKA)
Research report type
Recerca
Language
English
Number of pages
46
Summary
One of the most fundamental obstacles to large-scale take-up of agent technology is the lack of mature software development methodologies for agent-based systems. This drawback complicates the
analysis, design and implementation of this kind of distributed applications, and, avoids the reusing of pieces of software from one project to another. Methodologies typically consist of a set of methods, models, and techniques that facilitate a systematic software development process, improving quality of the software product. An analysis and classification of existing methodologies allows multi-agent system (MAS) developers to select the most suitable approach for a specific application. Organizational ones are oriented to open-systems where cooperation is essential. Agent-based ones are oriented to close-systems and have been more developed, being more complete. To summarise, a comparison shows the advantages and drawbacks of each category and approach.
Keywords
Agent-based Software Methodologies, AOSE, multi-agent systems, MAS, large-scale development, life cy