[Modeling] Class Diagram Specification

[Dr. Hong Zhu]

Is there a space between Agent and Class? If not, this is a new word. May I
ask why?

Thanks.

Hong

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "f.tolman" <f.tolman@chello.nl>
To: "James Odell" <email@jamesodell.com>; "ModelingTC" <modeling@fipa.org>
Sent: Friday, June 13, 2003 4:19 PM
Subject: Re: [Modeling] Class Diagram Specification


> AgentClass seems to be what I expect.
>
> Frits
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "James Odell" <email@jamesodell.com>
> To: "ModelingTC" <modeling@fipa.org>
> Sent: Friday, June 13, 2003 4:44 PM
> Subject: Re: [Modeling] Class Diagram Specification
>
>
> > OK, point taken. So far, the tally is as follows:
> >
> > --Caste - 1 vote
> > --Agent Class or Agent Type - 3 votes
> > --"The term agent class is 'misfortune'" - 1 vote
> >
> > Anyone else want to vote?
> >
> >
> > -Jim
> >
> >
> > On 6/13/03 9:56 AM, "Dr. Hong Zhu" indited:
> >
> > > Jim,
> > >
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "James Odell" <email@jamesodell.com>
> > > To: "Dr. Hong Zhu" <hzhu@brookes.ac.uk>
> > > Sent: Friday, June 13, 2003 1:42 PM
> > > Subject: Re: [Modeling] Class Diagram Specification
> > >
> > >
> > >> Hong,
> > >>
> > >> First, the OED II definition of "class" reads as follows: "A number
of
> > >> individuals (persons or things) possessing common attributes, and
> grouped
> > >> together under a general or 'class' name; a kind, sort, division.
(Now
> the
> > >> leading sense.)"  How is this "by no means better than caste"?  And
why
> do
> > >> you assert that this definition has "nothing to do with the meaning
in
> > >> programming and computing"?  To me, it seems to have a great deal to
do
> > > with
> > >> the meaning in programming and computing.
> > >
> > > The dictionary that I have used is Longman Disctionary of Comtemporary
> > > English. It defines class as follows: (it is the whole list and in its
> > > original order as in the dictionary).
> > > 1, a social group whose members have the same political, social, and
> > > economical position and rank.
> > > 2. the system of dividing society into groups with different social
and
> > > political positions.
> > > 3. a group of pupils or students who are taught together.
> > > 4. a period of time during which pupils or students are taght.
> > > 5. a division of people or things according to their quality, level of
> > > performance, etc.
> > > 6. a division of animals or plants below a phylum and above an order
> > > 7. a stylish quality, e.g. in clothes or social behaviour, that
attracts
> > > admiration.
> > > I don't think any of the above meanings given in the dictionary is
what
> we
> > > used exactly as in OO paradigm. Nothing mentioned that objects are
> instances
> > > of classes. Nothing is mentioned about inheritance relationship, etc.
> These
> > > are also not mentioned in Oxford English Dictionary (Edition II) (is
> that
> > > OED II?). I think it is appropriate to adapt words like this to give
> them
> > > technical meanings in a technical domain, such as class in computing.
> What I
> > > am saying is that the original meaning of the word 'caste' can also be
> > > adapted, changed, and assigned with specific technical semantics in a
> > > particular domain.
> > >
> > >
> > >>
> > >> Second, why do you require that we choose "other alternatives apart
> from
> > >> agent class and agent type," when several people on this mailing list
> have
> > >> already said that they prefer these terms?  As for me, agent class
and
> > > agent
> > >> type work for me.
> > >>
> > >
> > > There is also a person in this mailing list expressed that the term
> agent
> > > class is "misfortune". You also asked that "Second, will that
extension
> be
> > > call AgentClass or something else?" I appreciate that you asked this
> > > question, and I think it is important for more people to give their
> opinions
> > > on this. I just expressed my opinion and asking for if there is any
> other
> > > opinions or alternatives if you are unhappy with the word caste. It is
> fine
> > > if you think the phrase 'agent class' is OK.
> > >
> > > Hong
> > >
> > >>
> > >> -Jim
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> On 6/13/03 5:07 AM, "Dr. Hong Zhu" indited:
> > >>
> > >>> Dear, Jim, and Gerd, and All,
> > >>>
> > >>> I don't think that the existing meaning of a term should prevent us
to
> > > adapt
> > >>> it to a technology terminology. Look at the word class as defined in
a
> > >>> dictionary. It is by no means better than caste. The meaning of the
> word
> > >>> class in dictionary has nothing to do with the meaning in
programming
> > > and
> > >>> computing. Even the word agent is not in its dictionary meaning.
> > >>>
> > >>> Having said so, the word caste does have some indications to the
very
> > >>> important features of agents, such as something to do with active
> > > entities,
> > >>> society of agents, groups of agent with same roles and behaviour,
etc.
> > >>>
> > >>> Finally, may I ask if you have any suggestions of other alternatives
a
> > > part
> > >>> from agent class and agent type?
> > >>>
> > >>> Best regards,
> > >>> Hong
> > >>
> > >>
> > >
> >
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