Current modeling techniques are not well equipped to design dynamic software architectures. In this work we present the basic concepts for a dynamic architecture modeling using nets-within-nets. Netswithin-nets represent a powerful formalism that allows active elements, i.e. nets, to be nested in arbitrary and dynamically changeable hierarchies. Applying the concepts from nets-within-nets, therefore, allows us to model complex dynamic system architectures in a simple way, which enables us to design the system at different levels of abstractions using refinements of net models. Additionally to the conceptual modeling of such architecture, we provide a practical example where the concept has been successfully applied in the development of the latest release of Renew (Version 2 of the multiformalism Petri net IDE 1). The overall monolithic architecture has been exchanged with a system that is divided into a plug-in management system and plug-ins that provide functionality for the users. By combining plug-ins the system can be adapted to the users' needs. Through the introduction of the Petri net concepts, the new architecture is now-at runtime-dynamically extensible by registering plug-ins with the management system. The introduced architecture is applicable for any kind of architecture but most suitable for applications with dynamic structure.

Abstract. In this paper we introduce an approach for defining semantics for AUML agent interaction protocol diagrams using Petri net code structures. This approach is based on the usage of net components which provide basic tasks and the structure for Petri nets. Agent interaction protocol diagrams are used to model agent conversations on an abstract level. By mapping elements of the diagrams to net components we are able to translate the diagrams into Petri nets, i.e to generate code structures from the drawings. We provide tool support for this approach by combining a tool for net components with a tool for drawing agent interaction protocol diagrams. This combined tool is available as a plug-in for Renew (Reference Net Workshop).

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Abstract. Process mining is increasingly used as an analysis technique to support the understanding of processes in software engineering. Due to the close relation to Petri nets as an underlying theory and representation technique, it can especially add to Petri net-based approaches. However, the complex analysis techniques are not straightforward to understand and handle for software developers with little data mining background. In this paper, we first discuss possibilities to integrate process mining into our Petri net-based agent-oriented software engineering approach. As the main contribution, we focus on enhancing its usability and introduce a technique and tool for visually modeling process mining algorithms with net components. These can be used to build new complex algorithms as a patch-work of existing procedures and new compositions. Furthermore, they allow for an easy integration with standard tools such as ProM.

In this work we present modeling techniques for the development of multi-agent applications within the reference architecture for multi-agent system Mulan. Our approach can be characterized as model driven development by using models in all stages and levels of abstraction regarding design, implementation and documentation. Both, standard techniques from software development as well as customized ones are used to satisfy the needs of multi-agent system development. To illustrate the techniques and models within this paper we use diagrams created during the development of an agent-based distributed Workflow Management System (WFMS).