Software Agent

Definitions

European Project Definitions

CIPRNet project

The CIPRNet project uses the following definition:

A software agent (or autonomous agent or intelligent agent) is a computer program which works toward goals (as opposed to discrete tasks) in a dynamic environment (where change is the norm) on behalf of another.

DIESIS project

The DIESIS project gives the following definition:

A software agent (or autonomous agent or intelligent agent) is a computer program which works toward goals (as opposed to discrete tasks) in a dynamic environment (where change is the norm) on behalf of another entity (human or computational), possibly over an extended period of time, without continuous direct supervision or control, and exhibits a significant degree of flexibility and even creativity in how it seeks to transform goals into action tasks. (source: http://www.agtivity.com/)

Other Definitions

A software agent is defined as a piece of software that acts on behalf of its user and endeavors to meet certain objectives or complete tasks without any direct input or direct supervision from its user.

See also

• Simulation