Table 3 Summary of agent structure
Context independent (defined by role) | Context dependent (defined by agent) | |
|---|---|---|
Attributes | – Role parameter definition (private): define in the role abstract class the characteristic attributes belonging to the role | – Role parameter values (based on market regulator or user input) – Received input data |
Internal methods | – Characteristic methods definition (private): define in the role interface the main actions expected to be fulfilled by the role, with appropriate input and output formats in the method definition | – Characteristic methods implementation: define how the role actions are executed – Event functions: define when and how often characteristic methods are called based on role parameters – Strategy methods (private, active agents only): methods which influence how the characteristic functions are implemented |
Interaction methods | – Flow methods definition (public): define in the role interface what is exchanged (goods, data, information, financial flows,…) with which role | – Connection methods (private): provide the address for flow method communications by indicating the agent which a role belongs to – Event functions: define when and how often flow methods are called based on role parameters |