Foundations of Distributed Artificial Intelligence (Sixth Generation Computer Technologies) [Hardcover]

G. M. P. O'Hare (Editor), N. R. Jennings (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1996 | ISBN-10: 0471006750 | ISBN-13: 978-0471006756 | Edition: 1

Distributed Artificial Intelligence (DAI) is a dynamic area of research and this book is the first comprehensive, truly integrated exposition of the discipline presenting influential contributions from leaders in the field. Commences with a solid introduction to the theoretical and practical issues of DAI, followed by a discussion of the core research topics--communication, coordination, planning--and how they are related to each other. The third section describes a number of DAI testbeds, illustrating particular strategies commissioned to provide software environments for building and experimenting with DAI systems. The final segment contains contributions which consider DAI from different perspectives.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Distributed Artificial Intelligence (DAI) is a dynamic area of research and this book is the first comprehensive, truly integrated exposition of the discipline presenting influential contributions from leaders in the field. Commences with a solid introduction to the theoretical and practical issues of DAI, followed by a discussion of the core research topics--communication, coordination, planning--and how they are related to each other. The third section describes a number of DAI testbeds, illustrating particular strategies commissioned to provide software environments for building and experimenting with DAI systems. The final segment contains contributions which consider DAI from different perspectives.

From the Inside Flap

Distributed artificial intelligence (DAI) has grown rapidly in recent years and continues to stimulate widespread research activity. Until now, however, no book has provided a comprehensive, unified treatment of DAI-forcing engineers, researchers, and students to comb the professional literature in search of pertinent information. Foundations of Distributed Artificial Intelligence fills that gap. This up-to-date collection of contributions from around the globe examines theoretical principles and practical applications, combines a broad view of the field with detailed examinations of specific research topics, and offers superb coverage at both introductory and advanced levels. The presentation is divided into four parts. Section one covers the fundamentals and necessary background material upon which the second section builds its discussion of communication, coordination, planning, and agency. The third part of the book focuses on the specifics of systems, testbeds, and software environments used in many industrial and practical applications-including Archon, Imagine, CooperA, AGenDA, T?MS, and Agent Factory. Finally, the book devotes an entire segment to related areas of scientific inquiry, from philosophy and the social sciences to interface design issues for DAI systems. Throughout, the contributors offer real-world examples from their own research to describe various methods, solutions, and approaches in current practice; and relate the information to the larger body of work available on the subject. For scientists, engineers, and graduate students involved in the study of this discipline, Foundations of Distributed Artificial Intelligence serves as an excellent introductory text, an extremely useful guide to current knowledge, and a bountiful source of ideas for further research.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 592 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Interscience; 1 edition (March 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471006750
• ISBN-13: 978-0471006756
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,610,815 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most important book for understanding distributed AI, September 13, 2001

By 

Amund Tveit - See all my reviews

This review is from: Foundations of Distributed Artificial Intelligence (Sixth Generation Computer Technologies) (Hardcover)

This book is the best source for obtaining knowledge about Distributed AI and Intelligent Agents. In particular I will recommend the chapters about coordination techniques and negotiation in multi-agent systems, as well as the thorough introduction (with a lot of good references!).

Chapters in this book covers about half of the curriculum in the "Distributed AI and Intelligent Agents" course at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

Note: students* find this book rather tough to read!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This book is an excellent formal discussion of DAI., August 10, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Foundations of Distributed Artificial Intelligence (Sixth Generation Computer Technologies) (Hardcover)

This book could serve as a text book for an class in agent technology. In particular, the formal description of communication theory in chapter 3, "Logical Foundations of Distributed Artificial Intelligence" is a must read for any serious student of the field. This text is not for the average reader, but is invaluable to anyone who intends to pursue serious work in the field of DAI.