Modules as Policy-Based Intentions: Modular Agent Programming in
GOAL
ProMAS 2007: Proc. 5th Int'l Workshop on Programming
Multi-Agent Systems, 4908, page 156--171. Honolulu, HI, Springer, (2007)DOI: 10.1007/978-3-540-79043-3_10
Abstract
Modular programming has the usual benefits associated with structured
programming, information hiding and reusability, but also has additional
benefits to offer when applied in agent programming. We argue that
modules can be viewed as structures similar to that of policy-based
intentions 2. Modules perceived in this way are components within
an agent that are triggered in a particular situation and combine
the knowledge and skills to adequately pursue the goals of the agent
in that situation. The context that triggers the activation of a
module defines the interface of the module, which can be specified
declaratively, in contrast to the usual functional interpretations
of such interfaces. A feature that differentiates our notion of a
module from plans is that modules provide an agent with a means to
focus its attention on the relevant resources it needs to handle
a situation. As a result, modules can be used to control or reduce
the underspecification and inherent non-determinism that is typical
of agent programs. In the paper, the proposed module concept is incorporated
into the agent language GOAL and illustrated by means of a simple
example.
