The Research And Implementation Of Intelligent Agent Architecture IASC And Agent-Oriented Programming Language IAPL

Agent theory and technology is one of active researching areas in artificial intelligent V and software engineering. The term agent is used to denote a hardware or software-based computer system that enjoys the following properties: autonomy, pro-activeness, reactivity and social ability. However, there exist a number of theoretical problems and technical difficulties in implementing of agent.? This dissertation aims to present an intelligent agent architecture and agent-oriented programming language (AOPL), respectively. They may be adopted to design and various types agents, and agents with different levels of autonomy. The main results may be summarized as follows: (1) For the sake of convenience in AOPL programming, a solution to the frame problem is proposed, and rule-based representation for effect axioms is introduced, which establish theoretical basis for constructing agent architecture and implementing AOPL. (2) Based on BDI structure and situation calculus, we present an intelligent agent architecture called IASC, which can depict various features, especially autonomy of agent. Since mental states such as belief, goal, intention and so on can be represented, and reasoning about action and planning can be executed in IASC, IASC may serve as a uniform platform for interpreting the autonomy of agent. (3) Using reasoning complexity, a criterion for measuring the level of autonomy is put forward. Various architectures for different types agents, such as simple agent, deliberate agent and planning agent, are given. These works supply a necessary theoretical basis for implementing autonomous agent. In addition, the research on agent theory at present focus on formal model that is a bit far from practice. Our framework can serve as a platform in which, given a special problem, programmer can reduce a theoretical model to practicable one. For all we know, relevant research has not been appeared in literatures. (4) In IASC framework, we explore how to construct agent that can reflect the following features: pro-activeness, reactivity, social ability and cooperation, and how to depict real-time process and adaptivity of agent. Furthermore, a cooperation model based on joint intentions is implemented. (5) An agent-oriented programming language IAPL and its operational semantics are introduced, and some primitives, including manipulation of mental states and communication between agents, are designed. On-line execution and off-line planning are integrated in running manner of IAPL. (6) A prototype support system of IAPL (lASS) is designed and implemented, which may be used as a framework to develop multi-agent system integrated development environment.