Supermodels and James Bond: How They Are Different From Agent-Based Modeling

and Simulation

Alexander S. Mentis15 October 2013

Agent-Based Modeling?

Sadly, no.

Then what is it?

• Simulation– The imitation of the operation of a real-world process or

system over time

Not to be confused with…

• Emulation– The replication of the behavior of a real-world process or

system

Benefits of Simulation

• Faster (maybe)

• Cheaper (maybe)

• Safer (most likely)

Simulation begins with a model…

• The “model represents the key characteristics or behaviors/functions of the selected physical or abstract system or process”

• Agent-based modeling (ABM) models “the actions and interactions of autonomous agents … with a view to assessing their effects on the system as a whole”

(Source: Wikiknow-it-all)

Verification and Validation

• Verification– “Am I building the thing right?”– Is the functionality implemented correctly?

• Validation– “Am I building the right thing?”– Does the behavior of the simulated system match the

behavior of the real one?– Does the simulation produce the needed output?

Applications of Simulation

• Training and education• “What-if?” analysis and prediction• Testing• Studying complex systems

– Biology– Ecology– Social/network science

Repast Agent-Based Simulation Toolkithttp://repast.sourceforge.net/