Agent-Based Infrastructure and an Application to Internet Information Gathering

Abstract.

Pragmatic applications and studies of agent-based software engineering have evolved over the last decade. In order to explore how an agent is organized and applied, in this paper an agent framework is presented and applied to Internet information gathering. Agent systems are classified as micro or macro perspectives and agent applications are characterized by the four feature dimensions: behavior (user), knowledge (task), safety (time), and cooperation (social). An agent itself can be modeled according to the information, behavior, and organization aspects of the agent’s functional modules as proposed in this paper. A three-tier multi-agent and JAVA-implemented system, which coordinates information-gathering activities using KQML for inter-agent communication, is developed on the basis of the proposed architectural modules. Finally, we explore possible areas for future study.