Сорок изыскателей. Рассказ. Для младшего школьного возраста

Intelligent agents and multi-agent systems (MAS) represent the next big step in the development of next-generation software systems, especially when consid- ing large scale distributed applications consisting of several sub-components with behavior that is increasingly di?cult to predict. This is supported by imp- tant research and development results and reinforced by the increasing uptake of agent-based solutions and services for real-world industries. In fact, software agent technology successfully addresses a number of highly relevant issues, like - ?cient resource distribution, scalability, adaptability, maintainability, modularity, autonomy,self-sustainability,anddecentralizedcontrol,byprovidingpowerfulc- cepts, metaphors and tools. The mentioned issues are often regarded as essential non-functional properties of emerging software architectures and systems. The high importance of agent-related research and development can be seen from the fact that currently about 100 major projects are funded in Europe only - see http://www. agentlink. org/resources/agentprojects-db. php - and more than 100 academic and commercial software tools are publicly advertised - see http://www. agentlink. org/resources/agent-software. php. And these numbers are still growing. As a result of the enormous e?orts the stage of maturation has reached a level, which encourages commercial players to increasingly adopt mul- agent systems concepts and technologies for the development of a variety of re- world applications in di?erent domains such as logistics, e-commerce, and - tertainment. In this perspective, concrete agent-driven research and development results (such as applications, platforms, and development kits) substantially c- tribute to promote the technology and increase its exploitation for industrial - lutions.

This book introduces major agent platforms, frameworks, systems, tools, and applications. Each system is described by their developers in sufficient detail so that the reader can get a good understanding of the architecture, functionality, and application areas of the system. All systems are running systems. One main focus of the book lies on agent platforms and toolkits. They form the basis for the development of agent-based systems, thus, are a convenient starting point for everybody who wants to apply agent technology. Another focus lies on agent-based applications. These systems prove that agent technology is mature enough to permit the development of sophisticated applications, like electronic marketplaces, environments for computer-supported cooperative work, or transportation systems.

"This book introduces major agent platforms, frameworks, systems, tools, and applications. Each system is described by their developers in sufficient detail so that the reader can get a good understanding of the architecture, functionality, and application areas of the system. All systems are running systems. One main focus of the book lies on agent platforms and toolkits. They form the basis for the development of agent-based systems, thus, are a convenient starting point for everybody who wants to apply agent technology. Another focus lies on agent-based applications. These systems prove that agent technology is mature enough to permit the development of sophisticated applications, like electronic marketplaces, environments for computer-supported cooperative work, or transportation systems."--Jacket