Behavioural state machines [Elektronische Ressource] : agent programming and engineering / submitted by Peter Novák

Behavioural State MachinesAgent Programming and EngineeringDoctoral Thesis(Dissertation)to be awarded the degree ofDoctor rerum naturalium (Dr. rer. nat.)submitted byPeter Novákfrom Ružomberok, Slovak Republicapproved byFaculty of Mathematics/Computer Science and Mechanical EngineeringClausthal University of Technologydate of oral examinationSeptember 11th 2009chairperson of the board of examinersProf. Dr. rer. nat. Jörg P. Müllerchief reviewerProf. Dr. rer. nat. Jürgen DixreviewerProf. Michael Fisher, Ph.D.(University of Liverpool, UK)D104To Zuzana Bullová, Ján Šefránek and Jürgen Dix,my teachers of computer science.ContentsPreface 91 Introduction 111.1 Prelude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111.2 Motivation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121.3 Agent-oriented programming: state of the art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151.4 Thesis outline and contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18I Theoretical foundations 212 Behavioural State Machines 232.1 Syntax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242.2 Semantics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262.3 Abstract interpreter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322.4 Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333 Modular BDI architecture 353.