This unique new reference offers you the most thorough and comprehensive explanation of the methods, tools, standards and techniques used to develop software using the agent-oriented approach. Meeting a long unmet need to support the agent-software development community with practical guidance in this cutting-edge area, this authoritative resource helps you to: understand the issues in developing agent-based software, select tools and techniques that aid in the development of agent systems, and become familiar with important methodologies that can be used to build different types of agent systems. A thorough and practical introduction to agent-oriented software engineering, the book covers four major areas: the basic concepts of agents that motivate agent technology, available technological support for deployment of agent systems, industry-relevant initiatives, and agent methodologies for agent system development. Addressing issues of direct relevance to specific development and task objectives, as well as to industry-wide initiatives, the work is essential for those wanting to understand more about the commercial realities of agent-based computing.