162 Chapter 6 agent-Based systems
the components are not known in advance, their structure and topology
may change, and the individual components are inherently heterogeneous
because they may be implemented by different developers using different
languages and technologies. One such example is the Internet. In short,
agents are suitable for dynamic, uncertain, information-rich, and process-
rich environments.
Moreover, agents can also be used for problems that can be solved using
other methodologies, but in a significantly better and more natural way. For
example, problems where data, control, and expertise are inherently distrib-
uted will be appropriate for agent-based solutions. Agents with different ...