Agent Technology from a Formal Perspective

The field of agent & multi-agent systems is experiencing tremendous growth. At the same time the field of formal methods is blossoming and has proven its importance in industrial and government applications. The FAABS (Formal Approaches to Agent-Based Systems) workshops, merging the concerns of the two fields, provided a timely and compelling platform on which the growing concerns and requirement of agent-based systems users that systems should be accompanied by behavioral assurances, could be discussed. This book has arisen from the overwhelming response to FAABS '00, '02 & '04 and all chapters are updated or represent new research, and are designed to provide a more in-depth treatment of the topic. Examples of how others have applied formal methods to agent-based systems are included, plus formal method tools & techniques that readers can apply to their own systems. Agent Technology from a Formal Perspective provides an invaluable in-depth view of the key issues related to agent technology from a formal perspective, for both researchers and practitioners. This is a relatively new interdisciplinary field, and there is enormous room for further growth The book not only creates an initial foundation, but points to the gaps; indicating open problems to be addressed by future researchers, students & practitioners.