Unit 6 Activity: Agent Dialogue with KQML and KIF
Activity Overview
This activity demonstrates agent-to-agent communication using KQML (Knowledge Query and Manipulation Language) and KIF (Knowledge Interchange Format).
Scenario: Alice (procurement agent) queries Bob (warehouse stock control agent) about 50-inch television inventory and specifications.
Dialogue Implementation
Message 1: Alice → Bob
Query: Check if 50-inch TVs are in stock
(ask-if
:sender Alice
:receiver Bob
:content (exists ?tv
(and (television ?tv)
(screen-size ?tv 50)
(in-stock ?tv)))
:language KIF
:ontology warehouse-inventory
:reply-with query-001)Explanation: Alice uses ask-if to query whether a statement is true. The content is a KIF expression asking if there exists a television with a 50-inch screen that is in stock.
Message 2: Bob → Alice
Response: Confirm stock availability
(reply
:sender Bob
:receiver Alice
:content (exists ?tv
(and (television ?tv)
(screen-size ?tv 50)
(in-stock ?tv)
(stock-quantity ?tv 45)))
:language KIF
:ontology warehouse-inventory
:in-reply-to query-001
:reply-with response-001)Explanation: Bob confirms that 50-inch TVs are in stock and provides additional information: 45 units available.
Message 3: Alice → Bob
Query: Request information about HDMI specifications
(ask-all
:sender Alice
:receiver Bob
:content (and (television ?tv)
(screen-size ?tv 50)
(in-stock ?tv)
(hdmi-slots ?tv ?slots))
:language KIF
:ontology warehouse-inventory
:reply-with query-002)Explanation: Alice uses ask-all to retrieve all matching answers for the number of HDMI slots on 50-inch TVs that are in stock.
Message 4: Bob → Alice
Response: Provide HDMI slot information for all matching TVs
(reply
:sender Bob
:receiver Alice
:content (
(and (television tv-model-sony-x90j)
(screen-size tv-model-sony-x90j 50)
(in-stock tv-model-sony-x90j)
(hdmi-slots tv-model-sony-x90j 4)
(hdmi-version tv-model-sony-x90j "HDMI 2.1")
(stock-quantity tv-model-sony-x90j 25))
(and (television tv-model-samsung-qn50)
(screen-size tv-model-samsung-qn50 50)
(in-stock tv-model-samsung-qn50)
(hdmi-slots tv-model-samsung-qn50 3)
(hdmi-version tv-model-samsung-qn50 "HDMI 2.0")
(stock-quantity tv-model-samsung-qn50 20)))
:language KIF
:ontology warehouse-inventory
:in-reply-to query-002
:reply-with response-002)Explanation: Bob provides detailed information for all 50-inch TVs in stock:
- Sony X90J: 4 HDMI slots (HDMI 2.1), 25 units
- Samsung QN50: 3 HDMI slots (HDMI 2.0), 20 units
Message 5: Alice → Bob
Query: Request specific model details
(ask-one
:sender Alice
:receiver Bob
:content (and (television tv-model-sony-x90j)
(price tv-model-sony-x90j ?price)
(warranty tv-model-sony-x90j ?warranty))
:language KIF
:ontology warehouse-inventory
:reply-with query-003)Explanation: Alice uses ask-one to request price and warranty information for the Sony model.
Message 6: Bob → Alice
Response: Provide pricing and warranty information
(reply
:sender Bob
:receiver Alice
:content (and (television tv-model-sony-x90j)
(price tv-model-sony-x90j 799.99)
(currency price-usd)
(warranty tv-model-sony-x90j 24)
(warranty-unit months))
:language KIF
:ontology warehouse-inventory
:in-reply-to query-003
:reply-with response-003)Explanation: Bob provides pricing ($799.99 USD) and warranty (24 months) information. Alice now has complete information to make a procurement decision.