A Verification Framework for Agent Communication

Abstract In this paper, we introduce a verification method for the correctness of multiagent systems as described in the framework of ACPL (Agent Communication Programming Language). The computational model of ACPL consists of an integration of the two different paradigms of CCP (Concurrent Constraint Programming) and CSP (Communicating Sequential Processes). The constraint programming techniques are used to represent and process information, whereas the communication mechanism of ACPL is described in terms of the synchronous handshaking mechanism of CSP. Consequently, we show how to define a verification method for ACPL in terms of an integration of the verification methods for CCP and CSP. We prove formally the soundness of the method and discuss its completeness.

Authors

• Rogier M. van Eijk
• Frank S. De Boer
• John-Jules Ch. Meyer

Keywords

• agent communication
• semantics
• verification methods
• specification
• agent communication language
• multi-agent systems