Developing Intelligent Agents for Distributed Systems: Exploring Architectures, Techniques, and Applications

This is a guide for software developers wanting to harness the power of agent software in client/server environments. An intelligent agent is a piece of software which searches for information, monitors conditions and performs particular actions. Often referred to as smart software, the agent continually "learns" about its environment and begins to repond accordingly. The book explains the programming of agents for improving user interfaces, increasing the performance of LANs and WANs, managing mail and even for assisting in the development of new software. In addition, the authors provide background on the technologies that make agents possible, such as AI, fuzzy logic and object technology. Common standards, such as COBRA and OLE, are discussed in the context of agents, along with the dark side of the technology, including "bots" and "rogue" agents which behave like viruses.