Agents

Agents

Unleash mobile agents using Jini
Mobile agents are ubiquitous in today's software applications—from e-commerce to network management to data warehousing. Mobile agent developers implement these solutions in Java for several reasons: First and foremost, Java's built-in object-oriented language features are conducive to agent technology. Second, developers can be extremely productive using Java. Essentially, Java provides tools that simplify and expedite complex software development tasks.
Jason Byassee, June 2002

The business case for Java: A primer for geeks, Part 2
While Java's momentum is making it the premier development platform for enterprise software, developers often find themselves asking, "How can I convince my manager that Java is the way to go?" With legacy considerations, fourth-generation languages, and uncertainty from those who would embrace Java all being factors, the business case for Java needs to be well understood and relatively easy to articulate by marketeers as well developers. In this second and final installment of our series, Max Goff discusses Java and the legacy, Java's momentum in recent years, and Java training -- all from the business perspective. (1,700 words)
Max Goff, February 2000

The business case for Java: A primer for geeks, Part 1
Java isn't just for geeks; it can also put a smile on any CFO's face. While Java's momentum is making it the premier enterprise-software development platform, developers are routinely asking, "How can I convince my manager that Java is the way to go?" With legacy considerations, fourth-generation languages, and copious FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt) both from those who would embrace Java and those who would extinguish it, what software developers see as the obvious solution might not look that way to their managers. Hence, the business case for Java needs to be well understood and relatively easy to articulate, not just by marketeers, but by developers as well. (3,200 words)
Max Goff, January 2000

Java in the management sphere, Part 3
Although a natural choice for developers in system and network management, the Java platform has been relatively slow to mature, providing neither a ubiquitous framework nor an abundance of applications in that space. In the final installment of a three-part series, Max Goff speculates on the future of management applications and shows how the Java community is making strides with Java extensions -- JMX, Jini and Jiro -- in this expanding arena. (2,400 words)
Max Goff, December 1999

Java in the management sphere, Part 2
The Java platform has been relatively slow to mature in the management arena, providing neither a ubiquitous management framework nor an abundance of applications in that problem space. In the second installment of this three-part series, Max Goff takes you through Java's short history and its emergence into the management arena with two technologies: JMX (formerly JMAPI) and Java DMK. (2,400 words)
Max Goff, November 1999

Java in the management sphere, Part 1
From its inception, the Java platform has been a natural choice for potential system and network management applications -- yet the platform seems to have been relatively slow to mature, providing neither a ubiquitous management framework nor an abundance of applications in that problem space. In Part 1 of this three-part series, Max Goff analyzes the issues Java faces in the management sphere. In future installments of the series, he will discuss Java technologies -- JMX (formerly JMAPI), Java DMK, Jini, and Jiro -- from the management perspective. (2,400 words)
Max Goff, October 1999

Agents can think, too!
Despite the hype that often surrounds intelligent agents, there are very good, very practical reasons why agents (especially mobile agents) should be a bit more intelligent than your average piece of software. This month, Todd explains why and shows you how to give your agents a boost in IQ (via expert systems). (2,200 words)
Todd Sundsted, October 1998

Agents talking to agents
No matter what a particular agent architecture provides, the one ever-present feature is support for agent communication. This is true because agents, by themselves, aren't very powerful. It's only by working together with other agents that they become useful. In this month's How-To Java, find out how to add agent communication to the agent architecture you've been developing. (1,800 words)
Todd Sundsted, September 1998

Agents on the move
Mobile agents, the touring members of the agent clan, have as their defining trait the ability to pack their bags and move on. They needn't use this freedom for frivolous purposes, however. Their mobility allows them to overcome several nagging problems that traditional client/server architectures don't handle well. This month, Todd Sundsted shows you why and how to mobilize your agents. (2,000 words)
Todd Sundsted, July 1998

An introduction to agents
Agents draw on and integrate many diverse disciplines of computer science, and although agent technology has not yet hit prime time, it is gathering its share of investment money. Find out what all the uproar is about in this month's column, which examines agents -- what they are and what problems they solve. Columnist Todd Sundsted also shows you how to lay the foundation for a simple agent architecture in Java, which you'll develop in upcoming installments of How-To Java. (2,200 words)
Todd Sundsted, June 1998

Agents: Not just for Bond anymore
Agents are no longer secret. But you may be wondering if agent technology is just another cool buzzword or a valuable new systems development model. This article defines agents and provides a tutorial on how to create them in Java using IBM's Aglet Workbench. (4,000 words)
Bret Sommers, April 1997