A Semantic Description For Agent Design Patterns
Reference: Sabatucci, Cossentino, Gaglio. AT2AI-08 / University of Palermo & ICAR-CNR. Source file: at2ai08_sabatucci.pdf. URL
Summary
The authors propose a fine-grained design language for formalizing and composing agent design patterns, integrated with the PASSI methodology for multi-agent system development. Patterns are represented as semantic networks (Pattern Semantic Description diagrams) whose nodes are Pattern Description Elements - participants, collaborators, events, and actions - typed against a MAS meta-model.
Four composition operators (Unification, Conjunction, Concealing, Externalization) let designers blend patterns systematically, preserving traceability of pattern contributions in the resulting structure. A worked example composes GenericAgent and Request patterns into SequentialShareResource, illustrating how FIPA-Request-compliant service agents can be built through pattern composition.
Key Ideas
- PSD diagrams: semantic networks of Participants and Collaborators.
- Composition operators: Unification, Conjunction, Concealing, Externalization.
- Patterns typed against a MAS meta-model (agent, role, task, communication).
- Integrated with PASSI design process.
- Worked example of FIPA-Request service pattern composition.
Connections
Conceptual Contribution
- Claim: Agent design patterns should be formalised as typed semantic networks with explicit composition operators, so that FIPA-compliant systems can be built by pattern algebra rather than ad-hoc composition.
- Mechanism: Introduces Pattern Semantic Description (PSD) diagrams typed against a MAS meta-model; defines Unification, Conjunction, Concealing, and Externalization operators; integrates with the PASSI methodology; worked example composes GenericAgent + Request into SequentialShareResource.
- Concepts introduced/used: Design Patterns, PASSI Methodology, MAS Meta-model, Pattern Composition, Interaction Protocols, Roles, FIPA-ACL, Agent-Oriented Programming, Ontologies, Multi-Agent Systems
- Stance: engineering
- Relates to: Supplies a pattern language for the protocol-level conversations tracked by ACRE Agent Conversation Reasoning Engine; its MAS meta-model leans on ontology foundations surveyed in Handbook On Ontologies.
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