Problem of consistency, coordination, and optimization in active systems (Q1106148)

The paper contains a survey on the theory of active systems which are defined as systems in which both the controlling subsystems and the controlled subsystems are guided by definite goals and display goal- directed actions, although the goals of the active elements are not necessarily those of the controlling subsystem. The survey is organised in two parts. The first part develops a classification and surveys some of the problems of the theory of active systems, while establishing their relationship with other areas of research. The second part presents a more detailed survey of the theoretical results and applied developments of problems of consistency and consistent optimisation of functioning mechanisms of active systems. Ninety-five references are given, the great majority being from the USSR.