Monografias em Ciência da Computação
2002
ABSTRACTS
Departmento de Informática
Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro - PUC-Rio
Rio de Janeiro - Brazil
This file contains a list of the technical reports of the Departmento de Informática,
Pontífícia Universidade Católica do Janeiro - PUC-Rio, Brazil, which are
published in our series Monografias em Ciência da Computação (ISSN
0103-9741), edited by Prof. Carlos Lucena. Please note that the reports not
available for download are available in their print format and can be obtained
via the e-mail below.
For any questions, requests or suggestions, please contact:
Rosane Castilho
bib-di@inf.puc-rio.br
Last update: 18/DECEMBER/2003
[MCC01/02]
LABER, E.S.; PORTO, F.A.M.; VALDURIEZ, P.; GUARINO, R. Cherry picking:
a data-dependency driven strategy for the distributed evaluation of
expensive predicates. 24 p. Eng. E-mail: laber@inf.puc-rio.br
Abstract: In this paper, we address the problem of optimizing
distributed queries involving expensive predicates. We propose
a novel approach, called Cherry Picking (CP), based on the
modeling of data dependencies between the expensive predicates'
input values as weighted bipartite graph. We propose three CP
algorithms that select the vertexes in this graph to be evaluated
by the expensive predicates that minimize the query execution
cost: a Greedy algorithm, a Minimum Balanced Cover(MBC) algorithm
and a variant called MBC* which runs in polynomial time. In order
to analyze the optimality of these algorithms, we propose a new
quality metric. We prove that MBC has quality 2 and that no other
deterministic algorithm can yield quality smaller than 2, thus
proving its optimality. We implemented these three algorithms as
well as existing pipeline and hybrid strategies. Our experiments
suggest that CP approach allows a considerable gain in performance
compared to the Pipelined approach and that the CP Greedy algorithm,
due to its simplicity and nice performance, is a very good candidate
to be considered for implementation in query execution engines that
deal with expensive predicates.
[MCC02/02]
MILIDIÚ, R.L.; PESSOA, A.A.; LABER, E.S. Complexity of makespan
minimization for pipeline transportation of petroleum products. 13 p.
Eng. E-mail: milidiu@inf.puc-rio.br
Abstract: PTP is a new model for the problem of transporting petroleum
products through pipelines with no due dates. This model uses a
directed graph G, where arcs represent pipes and nodes represent
locations, and a set L of transportation orders. Since pipelines must
always be full, we define a subset F c L of further orders that do not
need to reach the corresponding destination nodes, being used only to
move the pipeline contents. The problem of finding a feasible solution
to PTP is known to be NP-hard, even if G is acyclic. The Synchronous
PTP(SPTP) is a special case of PTP where all orders in F are initially
stored at nodes. In this paper, we analyze the complexity of finding
a minimum makespan solution to SPTP. This problem is called the SPTMP.
We prove that, for any fixed e>0, there is no n1-e- approximate algorithm for SPTMP unless P = NP, where n is the input size. This
result also holds if the graph G is both planar and acyclic.
[MCC03/02]
CARASSO, F.; STAA, A.v. Utilizando JNI para adicionar implementação
nativa C ou C++ a programas JAVA. 32 p. Port. E-mail:
arndt@inf.puc-rio.br
Abstract: The JAVA programming language has been widely adopted for
its portability and user friendliness. However it is quite inefficient
when dealing with compute bound operations. There are a couple of ways
to get around this drawback, one of them deals with the utilization of
native code. This report presents a detailed explanation of how to add
native code to JAVA programs by using the Java Native Interface, or
JNI. Most of the JNI specifications are examined in this report and
examples were created and tested to illustrate them.
[MCC04/02]
PAULA, M.G.; SILVEIRA, M.S.; BARBOSA, S.D.J. Sistema de explicação
para o processo de matrícula da pós-graduação do Departamento de Informática da PUC-Rio. 28 p. Port. E-mail: simone@inf.puc-rio.br
Abstract: In this work we propose an explanation system to the
registration process in the Informatics Department at PUC-Rio.
The main idea is to provide the students with information about
registration in graduate courses, considering each student's
academic and administrative status and potential doubts, in
order to personalize the given answer(s). This approach may be
considered an evolution on FAQ systems because the student may
ask further questions about the given answers, according to
his/her needs, contextually unfolding the knowledge required to
make adequate decisions.
[MCC05/02]
SILVA, V.T.; LUCENA, C.J.P. Multi-level role modeling in multi-agent
systems. 14 p. Eng. E-mail: lucena@inf.puc-rio.br
Abstract: This paper proposes a method to help discover the agents
that will be part of a multi-agent system based on the definition of
the system. This method is based upon the decomposition and the system
goals together with the decomposition and specialization of the system
into entities. The goals are associated with the entities, which play
roles by trying to achieve the goals and enter into relationships with
other entities. To help and validate the refinement process, the
method describes rules that ensure how the goals, entities, roles and
relationships defined in a certain stage of refinement will appear in
the subsequent stages of the process.
[MCC06/02]
MILIDIÚ, R.L.; LUCENA, C.J.P.; SARDINHA, J.A.R.P.; RIBEIRO, P.C. An
object-oriented framework for building software agents. 10 p. Eng.
E-mail: milidiu@inf.puc-rio.br
Abstract: Agent technology is a new approach of Distributed Artificial
Intelligence to implement autonomous entities driven by beliefs,
goals, capabilities and plans, and other agency properties such as
adaptation, interaction, and mobility. Software agents are the focus
of considerable research in the artificial intelligence community, but
not much has been done in the field of software engineering. In this
paper, we present an object-oriented framework for building software
agents in a distributed environment. The design of the framework also
allows an easy mapping of the models developed in the analysis and
design phase of the Gaia Methodology to object-oriented code. We
belive that object-oriented framework technology can reduce not only
the development time but also the complexity of implementing
multi-agent systems. We present an instantiated application that uses
this framework to illustrate an implementation.
[MCC07/02]
LUCENA, C.J.P.; FUKS, H. Tecnologias de Informação Aplicadas a Educação (TIAE): manual do aprendiz. 13 p. Port. E-mail:
lucena@inf.puc-rio.br
Abstract: This paper presents the methodology used in the Information
Technology Applied to Education course, a course delivered through the
Internet. The course is about the application of information
technology to education. The course is being delivered using the
AulaNet environment, a groupware for the creation, participation and
maintenance of Web-based courses.
[MCC08/02]
GARCIA, A.F.; CASANOVA, M.A. A fault-tolerance in distributed
tuplespaces. 20 p. Eng. E-mail: casanova@inf.puc-rio.br
Abstract: The tuplespace data model is widely recognized for
serving as a foundation for data exchange and/or event
coordination in distributed systems. In fact, in the last couple
of years, the tuplespace paradigm experienced a renaissance due
to its suitability for developing distributed Internet applications.
However, this model is originally based on a centralized scheme,
being exposed to classical failures of centralized systems, such
as single-point failures and bottleneck situations, all of which
conflicts with some of the stringent requirements of distributed systems: fault-tolerance and scalability. So, there is a need for
providing the tuplespace data model with fault-tolerance and
scalability using replication techniques, i.e., distributing
replicas of tuplespaces over different tuplespace servers.
Enterprise TSpaces (ETS) is a further development of the stand-alone
version of TSpaces that provides TSpaces with fault-tolerance in
loosely coupled systems. The level of fault-tolerance of a ETS
tuplespace can dynamically and independently be adjusted by
modifying the number of replicas. In this context, the goals of this work are: (i) presenting the tuplespace data model, (ii) identifying
the problems in replicating tuplespaces, (iii) surveying the
techniques for dealing with such replication problems, and (iv)
presenting the model ETS for fault-tolerance distributed tuplespaces.
[MCC09/02]
SILVA, A.C.; CARVALHO, P.C.P.; GATTASS, M. Visualization of density
variation in lung nodules. 13 p. Eng. E-mail: mgattass@inf.puc-rio.br
Abstract: We proposed a method for visualize lung nodule, in order to
emphasize their internal structures. This provides an additional tool
for diagnosis, which is traditionally based on the analysis of shape,
growth and location. The method is divided into three stages: the
first stage is semi-automatic segmentation, using the region-growing
algorithm; the second stage, based on the previous segmentation, identifies the internal structures of the nodule using moment theory
to determine several thresholds; finally, in the third stage, to help
visualizing these structures, a pseudocolor is associated to each
threshold determined in the previous stage. The tool developed is
under test, undergoing clinical evaluation, and its initial results
are promising.
[MCC10/02]
CÔRTES, S.C.; PORCARO, R.M.; LIFSCHITZ, S. Mineração de dados -
funcionalidades, técnicas e abordagens. 35 p. Port. E-mail:
sergio@inf.puc-rio.br
Abstract: The subject of the study is Data Mining, with emphasis on
its functionalities (results), techniques and application strategies.
We underline the importance of data mining as part of a larger
research process called Knowledge Discovery in Database (KDD), for
which is presented the methodology for preparation and exploration
of data, interpretation of results and assimilation of mined knowledge.
Data mining is presented in the context of business intelligence; its
forms of presentation and the difficulties in implementation in
corporations and some applications suitable for the use of data mining
as well as their fields of research are discussed.
[MCC11/02]
CÔRTES, S.C.; LIFSCHITZ, S. Sistemas de gerência de banco de dados
baseados em agentes para um ambiente de computação móvel. 30 p.
Port. E-mail: sergio@inf.puc-rio.br
Abstract: Agent-based databases enable the development of Database
Management Systems (DBMSs) that may be configured and extended to
give support to new data storage and retrieval requirements. For
database management systems to be used in a mobile computing
environment, the properties of reusability, autonomy, interaction and
mobility can be obtained by the use of a software agent. This paper
presents a proposal for a layered architecture in a mobile computing
environment. The focus of the architecture is on the use of software
agents in the server layer of the database, using a framework for the
construction of the management system that will include the
functionalities necessary for the mobile computing environment. A
detailed discussion of DBMS architecture is also presented.
[MCC12/02]
GONI, J.L.; FERNANDES, M.C.P.; LUCENA, C.J.P. e-Learning e a Web semântica. 18 p. Port. E-mail: lucena@inf.puc-rio.br
Abstract: The objective of this work is to propose a tool based in
agents, denominated Web Semantic Search (WebSS), using the structure
of the semantic Web, where through ontologies generated by the Protege-200 tool, it will be possible to recover learning contents in AulaNet
servers, according to the granularity proposed by the ContentNet framework. It is presented an
Analisys Model of the MESSAGE Methodology (methodology for engineering systems of
software sgent), wich is
an agent-oriented Software Engineering methodology, that extends the
current techniques of object-oriented software development to simplify
and to formalize the process of developing a multi-agent system.
[MCC13/02]
GONI, J.L.; MILIDIÚ, R.L. Agentes de software para auxiliar ao
professor na busca de conteúdos educacionais no padrão IMS. 19 p.
Port. E-mail: milidiu@inf.puc-rio.br
Abstract: With the growth of the amount of data available on the
Internet, the use of software agent for information search and
treatment is an option. In Web-Based Education the patterns
defined by IMS for interoperability of education contents are a
reality. Starting from the experiences and uses demonstrated by
the literature, types of agent and their application in the search
and treatment of data in the Web are presented. This work also
presents a multi-agent system that favour the interoperability of
contents in distance education, helping the teacher in the search
in IMS-compliant servers.
[MCC14/02]
GONI, J.L.; FUKS, H. Comparação de ambientes de ensino na Web
baseados em plataforma IMS a partir dos papéis dos atores envolvidos.
24 p. Port. E-mail: hugo@inf.puc-rio.br
Abstract: A way to verify the several techniques now used in Distance
Education on the Web consists in the analysis of each role a user
plays in the participation on a management environment. To evaluate
the practical viability of those environments, through a comparative
analysis, we appoint the appropriate use of the Internet technology.
It was also considered the pedagogic, technological and organizational
aspects. The comparisons were made with environments that follow the
IMS specifications. Based on these comparisons, some suggestions for
the evolution of the AulaNet environment are shown considering each users'
roles.
[MCC15/02]
AYRES, F.V.M.; PORTO, F.A.M.; BARBOSA, A.C.P.; MELO, R.N. Um framework para
construção de máquina de execução de consultas.
15 p. Port. E-mail: rubens@inf.puc-rio.br
Abstract: The integrated access to web published information allows
for offering new services not initially foreseen by the individual
web publishers. This type application requires the distributed
execution of queries over the web. Although very promising, this
strategy suffers from serious performance problems due to the
unpredictability of the access time to the data sources.This work
identifies and analysis query execution characteristics that should
be supported by a flexible execution engine. We propose and
implement a software framework that provides for the instantiation
of different query execution engines. In particular, the framework
instantiates an adaptive query execution engine that supports Web
integration applications. This framework is also integrated to the
CoDIMS environment (Configurable Data Integration Middleware System).
[MCC16/02]
RENTERIA, C.J.; HAEUSLER, E.H.; VELOSO, P.A.S. NUL: dedução natural
para lógica de ultrafiltros. 28 p. Port. E-mail:
hermann@inf.puc-rio.br
Abstract: Ultrafilter logic is an extension of first order logic that
uses a new quantifier to express a meaning of "almost all", that is,
to express sentences like: "Almost all elements of our universe have
the property P". Such a logic had previously been presented only in
an axiomatic version. We give here a natural deduction version, wich
is correct, complete and normalizable.
[MCC17/02]
FUKS,H.; RAPOSO, A.B.; GEROSA, M.A.; LUCENA, C.J.P. O modelo de colaboração 3C e a engenharia de groupware. 16 p. Port. E-mail:
hugo@inf.puc-rio.br
Abstract: This paper introduces an engineering approach based on the
3C model (Communication, Coordination and Cooperation) to the design
and implementation of collaborative systems. Initially, the 3C model
is studied by means of a detailed analysis of each one of its three
elements. Then, a case study presents the application of the theoretical model to the development of a learningware environment
and to the methodology of a web-based course. The main goal of the
paper is to show the human aspects of the 3C model as a means to model
collaborative activities and as an attempt for the formulation of
Groupware Engineering.
[MCC18/02]
SILVA, G.M.H.; HAEUSLER, E.H.; VELOSO, P.A.S. Constructive program
synthesis in imperative language using intuitionist logic and natural
deduction. 19 p. Eng. E-mail: hermann@inf.puc-rio.br
Abstract: We present a method to extract programs from constructive
derivations, which is known as constructive synthesis or proof-as-program. This method comes from the Curry-Howard isomorphism
and is based on the fact that a constructive proof for a theorem, which
describes a problem, can be seen as a be description of the solution of
a problem, i.e., algorithm. In contrast with other constructive
program synthesizers, in our work, the program (in an imperative
language) is generated from a proof in many-sorted intuitionist logic
using, as deductive system, the Natural Deduction. In addition, we
provided a proof that the program generated is a representation of
the solution for the specified problem by the theorem, in any theory
that describes the data types used.
[MCC19/02]
GARCIA, A.F.; LUCENA, C.J.P.; OMICINI, A.; CASTRO, J.; ZAMBONELLI, F.
Software Engineering for Large-scale Multi-agent Systems - SELMAS 2002:
workshop report. 19 p. Eng. E-mail: lucena@inf.puc-rio.br
Abstract: This paper report on the First International Workshop on
Software Engineering for Large-Scale Multi-Agent Systems (SELMAS
2002) held in Orlando, Florida, USA, May 19, 2002, as part of the
International Conference on Software Engineering (ICSE 2002). The
main purpose behind this workshop is to share and pool the collective experience of people, both academics and practitioners, who are
actively working on software engineering for large-scale multi-agent
systems. The call for papers elicited about 20 submissions of wich
17 papers were accepted for publication in the workshop proceedings
and 12 papers were accepted for presentation. A selected set of
workshop papers and invited papers are going to appear in the book
Software Engineering for Large-Scale Multi-Agent Systems (LNCS,
Springer, 2002). The workshop consisted of an opening presentation,
several paper presentations that were organized into three distinct
sessions, and a panel. During the workshop we informally reviewed
ongoing and previus work and debated a number of important issues.
The SELMAS'02 Web page, including the papers and the electronic
version of this report, can be found at
<www.teccomm.les.inf.puc-rio.br/selmas2002>. We begin by presenting
an overview of our goals and the workshop structure, and then focus
on the worshop's technical program.
[MCC20/02]
MACEDO, L.M.; FURTADO, A.L. PlotDBase-integração de narrativas e
dados de aplicativos na forma de enredos para descoberta de
conhecimento. 23 p. Port. E-mail: furtado@inf.puc-rio.br
Abstract: Data information affecting people and companies may be
grouped as narratives of real situations and converted into plots,
composed by characters or actors, objects or resources, events or
conditions, sequence of actions, goal inference rules and constraints.
Plots can be described in format of logical predicates in defined
clauses, as used by Prolog. In this paper we propose the creation
of PlotDBase, a relational database of plots, which contains the
models and instances, composed by sets of terms and their
relationship, based on criteria and properties defined by expert
users. The data used to build plots are picked up from application
databases and several narratives. The PlotDBase is useful to
integrate specific application systems and non-standard narratives.
We propose the development of a tool that has features for data
entry, data preparing and data processing as: selection, comparison
and grouping of parts of several plots, automation transferring data
from databases to plots, search for standards in action sequences,
argument values in functions and rules, file data preparation to be
used by Prolog programs and KDD programs.
[MCC21/02]
FELIX, M.F.; HAEUSLER, E.H.; SOARES, L.F.G. Validating hypermidia
documents: a timed automata approach. 15 p. Eng. E-mail:
hermann@inf.puc-rio.br
Abstract: This paper presents a formal approach to validating
hypermedia documents, a case of real-time and reactive computing
application, aiming to extend these ideas to the contex of
architectural design. The main aspect of hypermedia validation
concerns to the so-called temporal consistency analysis problem:
a document is consistent if it is possible present it in a way
that all the event synchronization constraints can be fulfilled.
The validation technique consists in providing formal semantics
to hypermedia documents via network of timed-automata, in a
compositional way. Therefore, obtained a behavioral model of the
document, we can pass to the model-checking phase. The consistency
analysis consists on to formulate an adequate set of temporal
logic formulas that will be checked against to the automata model.
The specifications of the hypermedia documents that we are written
using the modeling concepts of NCM (Nested Context Model),
a conceptual model to hypermedia documents, and we choose UPPAAL as the model-checking tool to implement the our hypermedia
validation model. This work as well constitutes a preliminary
investigation, via a case study, about how we can integrate formal
validation, using model-checking techniques, with software
architecture design.
[MCC22/02]
AMARAL, F.N.; HAEUSLER, E.H.; ENDLER, M. A real-time specification
language. 12 p. Eng. E-mail: hermann@inf.puc-rio.br
Abstract: A specification language for real-time software systems is
presented, along with a model-theoretic semantics. Notions from
Category Theory are used to specify how the components of a system
should interact. The potential role of the proposed language in the
search for interoperability of specification formalisms is briefly
discussed.
[MCC23/02]
MAMANI MACEDO, N.A.; LEITE, J.C.S.P.; MACEDO-SOARES, T.D.L.v.A.
Building a strategic oriented corporate memory. 28 p. Eng. E-mail:
julio@inf.puc-rio.br
Abstract: This paper shows a porposal for building corporate memory
based on a general architecture. It has three layers: sources,
middleware and repositories. First, we create an enterprise model,
named Basic Framework (BF), with a view to building a Strategic
Corporate Memory (SCM). Second, we use ontology and multi agents
system as a means to organize our proposal. The BF is the main
component, where we store relevant information for the organization
extracted from legacy systems, databases, Internet sites or
human-beings. This conceptual enterprise model is based on management
theory and uses constructs from, both positioning and resource-based
views of strategic analysis, together with function analysis and
total quality management. We also stress the evolutionary aspect
of the SCM by relying on the configuration management concept of
baseline.
[MCC24/02]
SILVA, O.; GARCIA, A.; LUCENA, J.C.P. The reflective blackboard
pattern. 21 p. Eng. E-mail: lucena@inf.puc-rio.br
Abstract: Software architectures of large multi-agent systems (MASs) are inherently complex and have to cope with an increasing number
of system-wide properties and their corresponding control policies.
So with the increasing size and complexity of these systems a more
sophisticated software architectural approach becomes necessary. In
this context, we propose the Reflective Blackboard architectural
pattern, which is the result of the composition of two other
well-knowm architectural patterns: the Blackboard pattern and the
Reflection pattern. The proposed pattern provides, early in the
architectural design stage, the context in which more detailed
decisions related to systemic properties and associated policies
can be made in late stages of MAS development. The pattern allows
a better separation of concerns, supporting the separate handling
of control strategies by means of the computational reflection
technique. Moreover, these control activities are handled
independently from the application data agents, providing a better
architecture for real-life multi-agent systems. An electronic
marketplace architecture, with the goal of interconnecting
providers and consumers of goods and services to find one
another and transact business, electronically, is assumed as a
case study through the paper to clarify all the expressed
concepts and to show the applicability of our proposal.
[MCC25/02]
CARVALHO, G.R.; STAA, A.v. Estudo e análise do processo de
desenvolvimento e de ferramentas associados a ebXML. 37 p. Port.
E-mail: arndt@inf.puc-rio.br
Abstract: In the electronic commerce era there are lots of
initiatives to promote the integration of processes and enterprises,
processes and environments for integration of services, applications
and enterprises appear as a promising area of study in software
engineering. Among the business-oriented processes standards
initiatives is ebXML. This paper purpose is to evaluate the ebXML
proposal and some modeling tools that propose some functionality
for the effective use of ebXML proposal as an e-business
development process.
[MCC26/02]
COELHO, T.A.S.; ENDLER, M. Ambientes de suporte à colaboração em
redes móveis. 50 p. Port. E-mail: endler@inf.puc-rio.br
Abstract: This work discusses some issues related to collaborative
systems, and specifically, some questions ralated to Workflow
Management Systems for mobile environments. The concept of awareness,
the concurrency control method, and the problems deriving from
mobility and disconnections are discussed. Besides a comparison among several Worflow Management Systems, such as Exotica, RainMan, CoAct
and WorkToDo, this report contains a proposal of an architecture for
a Workflow Management System for wireless mobile networks. In this
proposal users are physically distributed and only establish
connection with the workflow server when they need to send or to
receive data. According to the proposed architecture, in addition
to one central coordinator, there may be several secondary coordinators, which are able to delegate tasks to other users under
their control. In this architecture, the concept of locking tasks is
avoided and tasks may be replicated for the execution by many users,
aiming to decrease the workflow execution time. The main contribution
of the proposed architecture are the ability to replicate workflow
tasks and the optimistic concurrency control policy, which provide
means for avoiding that workflow users block each other due to
pending executions of casually dependent tasks.
[MCC27/02]
LEITE, M.C.; LUCENA, C.J. Introducing object circuits. 18 p. Eng.
E-mail: lucena@inf.puc-rio.br
Abstract: In this paper, we introduce the concept of object circuits,
a programming technique which addresses traditional object-oriented
programming through the electric circuit's metaphor. We motivate the
discussion by studying the usefulness of object circuits on the
specific domain of modeling & simulation, and conclude by generalizing
its applicability to other research areas.
[MCC28/02]
COELHO, T.A.S., CASANOVA, M.A. Linguagens para especificação de workflows. 43 p. Port. E-mail:
casanova@inf.puc-rio.br
Abstract: This work presents a brief discussion about some languages
for workflow specification found in the literature: the WIDE Project's
language, that aims at executing distributed workflows; the BPEL4WS
language, based on the concept of Web services; and the XRL language,
for the management of eletronic commerce transactions. After
analysing these languages, this work proposes an extension of the XRL
language. The extension proposed meets the requirements of the
emergency plan description for the InfoPAE Project, a partnership
between TecGraf and Petrobras. The workflow specification language
proposed is based on XML and assumes that a workflow can be composed
of many other subworkflows, which can be executed in a distributed
and, sometimes, independent manner.
[MCC29/02]
BRANDÃO, A.A.F.; LUCENA, C.J.P. Uma introdução à engenharia de
ontologias no contexto da Web semântica. 16 p. Port. E-mail:
lucena@inf.puc-rio.br
Abstract: The semantic Web is an evolving research area which strongly
depends on ontologies. When developing applications in the semantic Web, one needs to pay attention to the ontologies they will use. Some
ontology description languages are not fitted to some kinds of
applications and the interoperability is not a common feature in most
of the tools to develop ontologies, which may prevent the importation
of existing ontologies. Because of that, several research groups
develop their own ones. In this work we survey several definitions of
ontology for the semantic web, describe some ontology development
methodologies and relate a case study about developing an ontology for
a semantic Web-based application, which will generate academic reports
using semantic Web content from a Web site.
[MCC30/02]
SILVA, V.T.; GARCIA, A.F.; BRANÃO, A.A.F.; CHAVEZ, C.v.F.G.;
LUCENA, C.J.P.; ALENCAR, P.S.C. Theoretical foundations for agents and
objects in Software Engineering. 21 p. Eng. E-mail:
lucena@inf.puc-rio.br
Abstract: Agent-based software engineering has been proposed in
addition to object-oriented software engineering for mastering the
complexity associated with the development of large-scale distributed
systems. However, there is still a poor understanding of the
interplay between the agent and object notions from a software
engineering perspective. Moreover, the many facets of agent-based
software engineering are rarely used in the various phases of the
software development lifecycle because of the lack of a comprehensive
framework to support consistent application of its core abstractions.
In this context, this paper presents TAO, an evolving innovative
conceptual framework based on the agent and object abstractions, which
are the foundations for modeling large-scale software systems. The
conceptual framework provides support for decomposing large-scale
software systems as organizations of passive components, the objects,
and autonomous components, the agents, with each of these elements
playing roles to interact with each other and to coordinate their
actions in order to fulfill system goals.
[MCC31/02]
FURTADO, A.L.; CIARLINI, A.E.M. Cognitive and affective motivation in
conceptual modelling. 30 p. Eng. E-mail: furtado@inf.puc-rio.br
Abstract: A proposal is presented towards the extension of conceptual
models of information systems, in order to allow specification and
simulation of the behaviour of agents with an adequate degree of
realism. Our method is mainly based on rules to infer the goals of
agents from situations holding at given states. In this paper, we
argue that the rules should take into account both cognitive and
affective characteristics, as can be conveyed, for the various agents,
by their individual profiles and current internal states. Such
characteristics should also influence the choice of strategies to
handle goal interferences in multi-goal/multi-agent environments.
[MCC32/02]
CUNHA, L.M.; LUCENA, C.J.P., eds. PRONEX MOBILE 2002 - frameworks e
tecnologia de software: métodos, ferramentas e soluções de domínio
específico. 61 p. Port. E-mail: lucena@inf.puc-rio.br
Abstract: The PRONEX 2002 workshop tooke place in the Computer
Science Department at PUC-Rio in December, 17th. Masters students and
PhD candidates presented the progress of their research projects. In
this paper you will find some short articles about the work developed
by the students in cooperation with their advisors and cooperating
researchers. The volume includes work-in-progress and also abstracts of
concluded theses.