XML dataspaces for the coordination of Internet agents

This article presents MARS-X, a programmable coordination architecture for autonomous and mobile Internet agents. In MARS-X, mobile Internet agents co ordinate through programmable XML dataspaces, accessed by agents in a Linda -like fashion. Therefore, MARS-X enforces open and uncoupled interactions a nd, via XML, it offers a high degree of standard interoperability. These pr operties suit very well the characteristics of both mobile Internet agents and the Internet environment itself lit addition, coordination in MARS-X is made more flexible and secure by the capability of programming the behavio r of the XML dataspaces by reaction to the agents' accesses. An application example related to the management of on-line academic courses shows the su itability and effectiveness of the MARS-X architecture.