In computing cooperative distributed problem solving is a
network
Network, networking and networked may refer to:
Science and technology
* Network theory, the study of graphs as a representation of relations between discrete objects
* Network science, an academic field that studies complex networks
Mathematics
...
of semi-autonomous processing nodes working together
to solve a problem, typically in a
multi-agent system
A multi-agent system (MAS or "self-organized system") is a computerized system composed of multiple interacting intelligent agents.Hu, J.; Bhowmick, P.; Jang, I.; Arvin, F.; Lanzon, A.,A Decentralized Cluster Formation Containment Framework fo ...
. That is concerned with the investigation of problem subdivision, sub-problem distribution, results synthesis, optimisation of problem solver coherence and co-ordination. It is closely related to distributed
constraint programming
Constraint programming (CP) is a paradigm for solving combinatorial problems that draws on a wide range of techniques from artificial intelligence, computer science, and operations research. In constraint programming, users declaratively state th ...
and distributed constraint optimization; see the links below.
Aspects of CDPS
* Neither global control or global data storage – no individual CDPS problem solver (agent) has sufficient information to solve the entire problem.
* Control and data are distributed
* Communication is slower than computation, therefore:
** Loose coupling between problem solvers
** Efficient protocols (not too much communication overhead)
** problems should be modular, coarse grained
* Any unique node is a potential bottleneck
** Organised behaviour is hard to guarantee since no one node has the complete picture
See also
*
Multiscale decision making Multiscale decision-making, also referred to as multiscale decision theory (MSDT), is an approach in operations research that combines game theory, multi-agent influence diagrams, in particular dependency graphs, and Markov decision processes to ...
*
Distributed constraint optimization Distributed constraint optimization (DCOP or DisCOP) is the distributed analogue to constraint optimization. A DCOP is a problem in which a group of agents must distributedly choose values for a set of variables such that the cost of a set of cons ...
*
Distributed artificial intelligence
Distributed Artificial Intelligence (DAI) also called Decentralized Artificial Intelligence is a subfield of artificial intelligence research dedicated to the development of distributed solutions for problems. DAI is closely related to and a pred ...
*
Multi-agent planning In computer science multi-agent planning involves coordinating the resources and activities of multiple '' agents''.
NASA says, "multiagent planning is concerned with planning by (and for) multiple agents. It can involve agents planning for a commo ...
Some relevant books
* A chapter in an edited book.
*
* See Chapters 1 and 2
downloadable free online
*
Applications of distributed computing
Problem solving
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