Based on the meta-model of information systems presented in Zhu (2006), this chapter presents a caste-centric agent-oriented methodology for evolutionary and collaborative development of information systems. It consists of a process model called growth model, and a set of agent-oriented languages and software tools that support various development activities in the process. At the requirements analysis phase, a modelling language and environment called CAMLE supports the analysis and design of information systems. The semi-formal models in CAMLE can be automatically transformed into formal specifications in SLABS, which is a formal specification language designed for formal engineering of multi-agent systems. At implementation, agent-oriented information systems are implemented directly in an agent-oriented programming language called SLABSp. The features of agent-oriented information systems in general and our methodology in particular are illustrated by an example throughout the chapter.
Formal Specification and Verification of Real-Time Multi-Agent Systems using Timed-Arc Petri Nets