Aplib: Tactical Programming of Intelligent Agents

Abstract

This paper presents aplib, a Java library for programming intelligent agents, featuring BDI and multi agency, but adding on top of it a novel layer of tactical programming inspired by the domain of theorem proving. Aplib is also implemented in such a way to provide the fluency of a Domain Specific Language (DSL). Compared to dedicated BDI agent programming languages such as JASON, 2APL, or GOAL,aplib's embedded DSL approach does mean that \aplib\ programmers will still be limited by Java syntax, but on other hand they get all the advantages that Java programmers get: rich language features (object orientation, static type checking, $\lambda$-expression, libraries, etc), a whole array of development tools, integration with other technologies, large community, etc.