Supporting the platform extensibility for the model-driven development of agent systems by the interoperability between domain-specific modeling languages of multi-agent systems

Abstract

The conventional approach currently followed in the development of domain-specific modeling languages (DSMLs) for multi-agent systems (MASs) requires the definition and implementation of new model-to-model and model-totext transformations from scratch in order to make the DSMLs functional for each different agent execution platforms. In this paper, we present an alternative approach which considers the construction of the interoperability between MAS DSMLs for a more efficient way of platform support extension. The feasibility of using this new interoperability approach instead of the conventional approach is exhibited by discussing and evaluating the model-driven engineering required for the application of both approaches. Use of the approaches is also exemplified with a case study which covers the model-driven development of an agent-based stock exchange system. In comparison to the conventional approach, evaluation results show that the interoperability approach requires both less development time and effort considering design and implementation of all required transformations.