Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
5.3.1 Clear distinction between model and simulation
engine
A reference model should strictly separate between a simulation model
and a simulation engine that executes a model. This reduces the
complexity significantly and provides the necessary basis for future
work on collaborative development and distributed execution of agent-
based models. As this separation is a key requirement, it will be
explained in more detail.
First of all, such a reference model should focus on the conceptual
(and partly the formal) model development. Given this intention, on
the highest level
the agent-based simulation model itself,
the execution (simulation) of this model and
the simulation engines used for execution
are distinguished.
The
agent-based simulation model
describes the entities (e.g., agents
and objects) as well as interactions of these entities in a common
environment. Building upon the agent-based model, the
execution
(simulation) of a model is defined. This includes especially the beha-
vior of possibly conflicting agents (including conflict detection and
resolution).
The
simulation engines
should not be directly part of a reference
model, as a multitude of simulation engines can be thought of. Any
simulation engine may be used as long as it complies with the reference
model.
Separating these aspects and thereby reducing the complexity is
a necessary precondition for a clear definition of basic notions and
key concepts of agent-based modeling and simulation. Furthermore,
a strict separation of these different aspects allows a high decompos-
ability and by providing well-defined interfaces an ecient modeling
process on the one hand and a flexible way of execution on the other
hand.
