Testing in Multi-Agent Systems

Cu D. Nguyen, Anna Perini, Carole Bernon, Juan Pavón, John Thangarajah

Abstract: Testing software agents and Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) needs suitable techniques to evaluate agent’s autonomous behaviours as well as distribution, social and deliberative properties, which are particular to these systems. This paper reviews testing methods and techniques with respect to the MAS properties they are able to address. For this purpose, we provide a reference framework that provides a classification of MAS testing levels (such as unit, agent, integration, system, and acceptance) and of testing approaches along the development artefact they exploit (namely, design and code artefacts). Open issues in testing MAS are then discussed providing a basis for a research roadmap.