Learn how to employ JADE to build multi-agent systems!

JADE (Java Agent DEvelopment framework) is a middleware for the development of applications, both in the mobile and fixed environment, based on the Peer-to-Peer intelligent autonomous agent approach. JADE enables developers to implement and deploy multi-agent systems, including agents running on wireless networks and limited-resource devices.

Developing Multi-Agent Systems with JADE is a practical guide to using JADE. The text will give an introduction to agent technologies and the JADE Platform, before proceeding to give a comprehensive guide to programming with JADE. Basic features such as creating agents, agent tasks, agent communication, agent discovery and GUIs are covered, as well as more advanced features including ontologies and content languages, complex behaviours, interaction protocols, agent mobility, and the in-process interface. Issues such as JADE internals, running JADE agents on mobile devices, deploying a fault tolerant JADE platform, and main add-ons are also covered in depth.

Developing Multi-Agent Systems with JADE:

• Comprehensive guide to using JADE to build multi-agent systems and agent orientated programming.
• Describes and explains ontologies and content language, interaction protocols and complex behaviour.
• Includes material on persistence, security and a semantics framework.
• Contains numerous examples, problems, and illustrations to enhance learning.
• Presents a case study demonstrating the use of JADE in practice.
• Offers an accompanying website with additional learning resources such as sample code, exercises and PPT-slides.

This invaluable resource will provide multi-agent systems practitioners, programmers working in the software industry with an interest on multi-agent systems as well as final year undergraduate and postgraduate students in CS and advanced networking and telecoms courses with a comprehensive guide to using JADE to employ multi agent systems.

With contributions from experts in JADE and multi agent technology.

About the Author

Fabio Bellifemine is a senior project manager at the Research Labs of Telecom Italia. He inspired, originated and led the JADE Project and, later, he launched and presided at the JADE Governing Board. He graduated summa cum laude from the Computer Science University of Torino in 1988 and, before joining Telecom Italia (formerly CSELT), until 1994 he was a researcher at the Italian National Research Council (CNR) working in the field of digital video coding. In 1996 he joined the FIPA standardization body and he was attracted by the software agent technology. In 2000, on behalf of the Work Package 1 of the FACTS Project, he was awarded the first prize in the FIPA competition for the best agent-based application: ‘New generation TV entertainment system’. He served as chairman of the FIPA Architecture Board and, next, of the X2S Technical Committee with the challenging goal of promoting to standard the core specifications of FIPA. The effort and the passion for this emerging technology were recognized by appreciation certificates of FIPA for his outstanding contributions. 

Giovanni Caire graduated summa cum laude from the Politecnico di Torino in 1992 and, after that, joined the Research Labs of Telecom Italia (formerly CSELT) where he is now a senior project manager. He started working in the Multimedia and Video Services department where he was involved in several international collaborative projects. In 1995 he led the ATMAN ACTS European Project dealing with advanced techniques of audio-visual content trading. 

Dominic P. A. Greenwood is Head of Research at Whitestein Technologies AG in Z´urich, Switzerland. He has been active in the field of multi-agent software and systems for several years from both a research and commercial perspective, including participation in FIPA and involvement with JADE as a member of the JADE Board and as designer of the JADE Web Services Integration Gateway add-on.