TY - GEN
T1 - Formal semantics for an abstract agent programming language
AU - Hindriks, Koen V.
AU - de Boer, Frank S.
AU - van der Hoek, Wiebe
AU - Meyer, John Jules Ch
PY - 1998/1/1
Y1 - 1998/1/1
N2 - In this article we investigate agent-oriented programming both from a theoretical and a practical view. We propose an abstract agent programming language with a clear and formally defined semantics. The semantics of our language is defined in terms of a transition system. Our language combines features of both logic programming, i.e. it is rule-based, and imperative programming, i.e. it includes the full range of conventional programming constructs. These features are well-understood and provide a solid basis for a structured agent programming language. On the more practical side we investigate the different properties of agents usually attributed to them, i.e. agents have a complex mental state, act pro-actively and reactively, and have reflective capabilites. We illustrate how these properties of agents are implemented in our programming language. In particalur, we propose general rules, called practical reasoning rules, which are used to define the reflective capabilities of agents and provide a mechanism for goal revision. The combination of the theoretical and practical perspective contributes, we hope, to filling the gap between theory and practice.
AB - In this article we investigate agent-oriented programming both from a theoretical and a practical view. We propose an abstract agent programming language with a clear and formally defined semantics. The semantics of our language is defined in terms of a transition system. Our language combines features of both logic programming, i.e. it is rule-based, and imperative programming, i.e. it includes the full range of conventional programming constructs. These features are well-understood and provide a solid basis for a structured agent programming language. On the more practical side we investigate the different properties of agents usually attributed to them, i.e. agents have a complex mental state, act pro-actively and reactively, and have reflective capabilites. We illustrate how these properties of agents are implemented in our programming language. In particalur, we propose general rules, called practical reasoning rules, which are used to define the reflective capabilities of agents and provide a mechanism for goal revision. The combination of the theoretical and practical perspective contributes, we hope, to filling the gap between theory and practice.
KW - Agent programming
KW - Formal semantics
KW - Practical reasoning
KW - Reflective capabitites
KW - Self-modification
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M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84961371524
SN - 3540641629
SN - 9783540641629
T3 - Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)
SP - 215
EP - 229
BT - Intelligent Agents IV
A2 - Singh, Munindar P.
A2 - Rao, Anand
A2 - Wooldridge, Michael J.
PB - Springer/Verlag
T2 - 4th International Workshop on Agent Theories, Architectures, and Languages, ATAL 1997
Y2 - 24 July 1997 through 26 July 1997
ER -