[Modeling] Modeling an Agent Class- register your opinion

[Dr. Hong Zhu]

Let's assume that it can be done this way, then, we must consider agents are
special case of objects, because the semantics of class is defined as
follows. (the following is taken from Jim's email about UML's definition of
class)
"-Semantics
The purpose of a class is to specify a classification of objects and to
specify the features that characterize the structure and behavior of those
objects."

The question is, then, "Can agents be objects?" I doubt about it, because
the semantics of object has this features defined as a part of UML class'
semantics: (also taken from Jim's email)
"Operations of a class can be invoked on an object, given a particular set
of substitutions for the parameters of the operation." Does this give object
the freedon to refuse invocation of its operation? I think, a
characteristics of agents is that "agent can say no to operation
invocation". This is also from Jim's work.

Hong

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "James Odell" <email@jamesodell.com>
To: "ModelingTC" <modeling@fipa.org>
Sent: Saturday, June 21, 2003 7:01 PM
Subject: Re: [Modeling] Modeling an Agent Class- register your opinion


> On 6/20/03 7:45 AM, "Dr. Hong Zhu" indited:
>
> >> When you simply use the word Agent as the class name of the class Agent
> >> you can produce a meta model in UML. Using UML as the modelling
> >> language does not mean that the behaviour of agents necessarily has
been
> >> limited to OO.
> >>
> >
> > I don't think the semantic definition of UML can be interpreted that
way.
>
> And, I am not so sure that it cannot be.  I guess it's time for us all to
> demonstrate it one way or another.
>
> -Jim
>
> _______________________________________________
> Modeling mailing list
> Modeling@www.fipa.org
> http://fipa.org/mailman/listinfo/modeling
>