Reusable Specification of Agent-Based Models

Abstract

This paper identifies and characterizes several important impediments to reusable agent-based models. It describes a new class of programming languages that address these problems by allowing abstract specification of incomplete but accurate models and by enabling automated construction of agent-based simulations from models. The primary innovation underlying this approach is the use of property-based types to avoid modeling limitations inherent in the object-oriented paradigm. A property-based approach enables independent validation of constituent models, abstract specification of actors independent of their simulations, and certain modifications to model without revalidation.