Software engineering with agents: pitfalls and pratfalls

While the theoretical and experimental foundations of agent-based systems are becoming increasingly well understood, comparatively little effort has been devoted to understanding the everyday reality of carrying out an agent-based development project. As a result, agent system developers needlessly repeat the same mistakes. At best, this wastes resources; at worst, projects fail. The authors identify the main pitfalls awaiting the agent system developer and recommend ways to avoid or rectify them where possible.