A multi-level approach and infrastructure for agent-oriented software development

This paper describes an agent-oriented architecture for software development that supports the use of agent-oriented concepts at multiple levels of abstraction. The architecture supports the systematic use of agent-based notions throughout the software development process. The paper describes (a) the implementation of micro-agents in Java, (b) how they have been used to fashion the architectural framework for the construction of more complex agents based on the Foundation for Intelligent Physical Agents (FIPA) specifications, and (c) the Conversation Manager that facilitates the capability of agents to conduct complex conversations with other agents.