Unlocking the Secret of Agents

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Unlocking the Secret of Agents

by James Odell

May 8, 2000


An agent can be a person, a machine, a piece of software or a variety of other things.

 

The basic dictionary definition of agent is one who acts. However, for developing IT systems, such a definition is too general: IT-related agents need additional properties. Some of the properties that agents may possess in various combinations include:

  • Autonomous - Capable of acting without direct external intervention. It has some degree of control over its internal state and actions based on its own experiences.
  • Interactive - Communicates with the environment and other agents.
  • Adaptive - Capable of responding to other agents and/or its environment to some degree. More advanced forms of adaptation permit an agent to modify its behavior based on its experience.
  • Sociable - Interaction that is marked by friendliness or pleasant social relations, that is, where the agent is affable, companionable or friendly.
  • Mobile - Able to transport itself from one environment to another.
  • Proxy - May act on behalf of someone or something, that is, acting in the interest of, as a representative of or for the benefit of some entity.



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