Comparative analysis of top-down and bottom-up methodologies for multi-agent system design

Traditionally, top-down and bottom-up design approaches have competed with each other in Algorithmics and Software Engineering. In the top-down approach, design process starts with specifying the global system state and assuming that each component has global knowledge of the system, as in a centralized approach. The solution is then decentralized by replacing global knowledge with communication. In the bottom-up approach, on the other hand, the design starts with specifying requirements and capabilities of individual components, and the global behavior is said to emerge out of interactions among constituent components and between components and the environment. In this paper we present a comparative study of both approaches with particular emphasis on applications to multi–agent system engineering. Categories and Subject Descriptors I.2.11 [Distributed Artificial Intelligence]: Multiagent systems General Terms Design, Algorithms Keywords MAS design, Top Down, Bottom–up

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2005
• Where: ATAL
• Authors: Valentino Crespi, Aram Galstyan, Kristina Lerman
• Keywords: ATAL 2005, Bottom-up Design Approaches, Global Knowledge, Top-down Approach