Agent-oriented programming is a programming model proposed to design complex programs. To simplify the implementation of agent systems, several new agent-oriented programming languages (AOPL) have been proposed. Usually, these languages are developed using informal techniques and implemented in an "ad hoc" manner. The lack of formal methods and adequate analysis tools makes the design of these languages a hard and error prone task. This paper shows the advantages of using action semantics and

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... lated tools in the project of new AOPLs. Action semantics is a formalism used to describe programming languages that produces specifications that can be easily extended and reused in new projects. To demonstrate this action semantics approach, we have developed a specification of some basic agent concepts as well as a tool that aids the validation and execution of action semantics specifications. Using this approach, the programming language designer obtains a powerful design environment to propose and test new kinds of agent concepts, components and constructors.