Development of Multi-Agent Systems Infrastructure: A Practical Approach explores the creation of modular frameworks to support the deployment of real-world software applications utilizing multi-agent systems (MAS). Drawing from the author’s hands-on experience with the FLASH-MAS framework—a Fast Lightweight Agent Shell—the book delves into both theoretical models and practical solutions for MAS implementation. It addresses the complexities of deploying autonomous agents across diverse fields such as manufacturing, robotics, health care, and supply chain management, highlighting the shared challenges developers face when managing distributed, networked, or large-scale agent interactions. The book is organized into three main sections, covering models and languages for MAS, the deployment and interaction between system entities, and practical guidance for implementing robust MAS frameworks. Emphasizing modularity, the author presents adaptable tools and solutions that can be independently utilized for system development and maintenance. Practical issues such as entity lifecycle management, environmental interactions, and system robustness are thoroughly examined, making this resource valuable for both new and experienced MAS developers.
1. Part 1: Introduction - p. P1 2. Chapter 1: Purpose of this book - p. 3 3. Chapter 2: Fundamental concepts - p. 7 4. Chapter 3: Applications, challenges, and requirements - p. 11 5. Chapter 4: A comparative study of current MAS frameworks - p. 29 6. Chapter 5: The Flash-mas framework - p. 55 7. Part 2: Modeling agents and infrastructures - p. P2 8. Introduction - p. 67 9. Chapter 6: Entities in a multi-agent system - p. 69 10. Chapter 7: Integration of agent-oriented programming languages - p. 81 11. Chapter 8: The entity-operation model - p. 97 12. Part 3: Interaction between entities - p. P3 13. Introduction - p. 117 14. Chapter 9: Mobility of entities - p. 119 15. Chapter 10: Decentralized interaction protocols - p. 129 16. Chapter 11: Leveraging the advantages of web standards - p. 143 17. Chapter 12: Region-based decentralized communication - p. 155 18. Chapter 13: Entity systems deployed over heterogeneous environments - p. 179 19. Part 4: Deploying modern MAS-based applications - p. P4 20. Introduction - p. 191 21. Chapter 14: Complex deployment scenarios - p. 193 22. Chapter 15: Agent-based simulation - p. 207 23. Chapter 16: Monitoring and controlling a distributed system - p. 225 24. Chapter 17: Integrating machine learning into software agents - p. 245 25. Chapter 18: Distributed machine learning in agent communities - p. 257 26. Index - p. 275
Development of Multi-Agent Systems Infrastructure: A Practical Approach explores the creation of modular frameworks to support the deployment of real-world software applications utilizing multi-agent systems (MAS). Drawing from the author’s hands-on experience with the FLASH-MAS framework—a Fast Lightweight Agent Shell—the book delves into both theoretical models and practical solutions for MAS implementation. It addresses the complexities of deploying autonomous agents across diverse fields such as manufacturing, robotics, health care, and supply chain management, highlighting the shared challenges developers face when managing distributed, networked, or large-scale agent interactions. The book is organized into three main sections, covering models and languages for MAS, the deployment and interaction between system entities, and practical guidance for implementing robust MAS frameworks. Emphasizing modularity, the author presents adaptable tools and solutions that can be independently utilized for system development and maintenance. Practical issues such as entity lifecycle management, environmental interactions, and system robustness are thoroughly examined, making this resource valuable for both new and experienced MAS developers.
1. Part 1: Introduction - p. P1 2. Chapter 1: Purpose of this book - p. 3 3. Chapter 2: Fundamental concepts - p. 7 4. Chapter 3: Applications, challenges, and requirements - p. 11 5. Chapter 4: A comparative study of current MAS frameworks - p. 29 6. Chapter 5: The Flash-mas framework - p. 55 7. Part 2: Modeling agents and infrastructures - p. P2 8. Introduction - p. 67 9. Chapter 6: Entities in a multi-agent system - p. 69 10. Chapter 7: Integration of agent-oriented programming languages - p. 81 11. Chapter 8: The entity-operation model - p. 97 12. Part 3: Interaction between entities - p. P3 13. Introduction - p. 117 14. Chapter 9: Mobility of entities - p. 119 15. Chapter 10: Decentralized interaction protocols - p. 129 16. Chapter 11: Leveraging the advantages of web standards - p. 143 17. Chapter 12: Region-based decentralized communication - p. 155 18. Chapter 13: Entity systems deployed over heterogeneous environments - p. 179 19. Part 4: Deploying modern MAS-based applications - p. P4 20. Introduction - p. 191 21. Chapter 14: Complex deployment scenarios - p. 193 22. Chapter 15: Agent-based simulation - p. 207 23. Chapter 16: Monitoring and controlling a distributed system - p. 225 24. Chapter 17: Integrating machine learning into software agents - p. 245 25. Chapter 18: Distributed machine learning in agent communities - p. 257 26. Index - p. 275
