Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Hammer or Tongs: How Best to Build Agent-Based Models?

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Advances in Practical Applications of Agents, Multi-Agent Systems, and Complexity: The PAAMS Collection (PAAMS 2018)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNAI,volume 10978))

Abstract

Agent-based modeling has been widely applied to solve problems in contexts ranging from exploratory research studies to focused industrial practice. As the application of agent-based modeling has grown, developers have advocated a wide and diverse variety of development techniques. Some of these techniques inform elements of model creation, validation, or use. Others are comprehensive development methodologies. The popularity of agent-based modeling makes it impossible to include every development technique mentioned in the literature. Instead, this paper focuses on providing a representative sample that includes the techniques with the most practical utility along with those that are widely used or have received substantial attention. The sample reviewed in this paper includes techniques advocated specifically for agent-based modeling along with general software development approaches. Due to their importance, verification and validation techniques for agent-based modeling are specially highlighted. The paper concludes with a summary and recommendations on how best to build agent-based models.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. 1.

    This paper focuses on agent-based modeling. References to the related multi-agent systems technique are limited since this field has different, although allied, goals (Nikolic and Ghorbani 2011; Fortino and North 2013).

  2. 2.

    The anonymous (2000) refrain, “99 little bugs in the code; 99 little bugs; take one down, patch it around; 127 little bugs in the code,” is memorable in this regard.

  3. 3.

    Waterfall development is a family of classic structured, multistage, software development methodologies that emphasize minimizing the amount of rework on the theory that costs rise exponentially as a mistake in a given stage propagates to later stages (Project Management Institute 2008). Agile development methodologies reject this theory (Beck et al. 2001; Software Craftsmanship Manifesto Signatories 2009; Collier and Ozik 2013) and instead focus on rapid refocusing based on feedback from real code.

  4. 4.

    It should be an indispensible part of any theoretical agent-based modeling project as well!.

  5. 5.

    This quote is a tagline from the long-running American television program Family Feud.

References

  • Abar, S., Theodoropoulos, G.K., Lemarinier, P., O’Hare, G.M.P.: Agent based modelling and simulation tools: a review of the state-of-art software. Comput. Sci. Rev. 24, 13–33 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anonymous: 99 Little Bugs in the Code (2000). http://www.gdargaud.net/Humor/QuotesProgramming.html

  • Beck et al.: Manifesto for Agile Software Development (2001). http://agilemanifesto.org/. Accessed on 20 Mar 2018

  • Bersini, H.: UML for ABM. J. Artif. Soc. Soc. Simul. 15(1), 9 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bert, F.E., Rovere, S.L., Macal, C.M., North, M.J., Podestá, G.P.: Lessons from a comprehensive validation of an agent-based model: the experience of the pampas model of argentinean agricultural systems. Ecol. Model. 274, 284–298 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bonabeau, E.: Agent-based modeling: methods and techniques for simulating human systems. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 99(Suppl. 3), 7280–7287 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borshchev, A., Filippov, A.: From system dynamics and discrete event to practical agent based modeling: reasons, techniques, tools. In: 22nd International Conference of the System Dynamics Society, Oxford, 25–29 July 2004

    Google Scholar 

  • Brooks, F.: The Mythical Man-Month. Addison-Wesley, Boston (1975)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Chlipala, A.: Certified Programming with Dependent Types. MIT Press, Cambridge (2017)

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Collier, N.T., Ozik, J.: Test-driven agent-based simulation development. In: Proceedings of the 2013 Winter Simulation Conference, 8–11 December 2013. IEEE Press, Washington, D.C. (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  • Collier, N.T., North, M.J.: Parallel agent-based programming with repast for high performance computing. Simulation 89, 1215–1235 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Denz, N.: Process-oriented analysis and validation of multi-agent-based simulations: concepts and case studies. Dissertation, University of Hamburg (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, C.: Automating proofs. Commun. ACM 59(4), 13–15 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fortino, G., North, M.J.: Simulation-based development and validation of multi-agent systems: AOSE and ABMS approaches. J. Simul. 7(3), 137–143 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghorbani, A., Bots, P., Dignum, V., Dijkema, G.: MAIA: a framework for developing agent-based social simulations. J. Artif. Soc. Soc. Simul. 16(2), 9 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giancarlo, F., Garro, A., Russo, W.: A Discrete-event simulation framework for the validation of agent-based and multi-agent systems. In: dagli Oggetti agli Agenti Simulazione e Analisi Formale di Sistemi Complessi, Camerino, 14–16 November 2005, pp. 75–84 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gkaras, G., Dimitrios, Y.: Teaching ‘emergence’ with netlogo in a high school project about complex systems and climate change. In: Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference for the Promotion of Educational Innovation, Larissa, October 2017

    Google Scholar 

  • Grimm, V., Revilla, E., Berger, U., Jeltsch, F., Mooij, W.M., Railsback, S.F., Thulke, H.-H., Weiner, J., Wiegand, T., DeAngelis, D.L.: Pattern-oriented modeling of agent-based complex systems: lessons from ecology. Science 310(5750), 987–991 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jennings, N.R.: On agent-based software engineering. Artif. Intell. 117, 277–296 (2000)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jennings, N.R.: An agent-based approach for building complex software systems. Commun. ACM 44(4), 35–41 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jo, C.-H.: A seamless approach to the agent development. In: Proceedings of the 2001 ACM Symposium on Applied Computing, Las Vegas, pp. 641–647 (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  • Juarez, F.W.C.: Agent-based modeling techniques for development economics. SSRN Electro. J., 1–16 (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, K.: Master planner: fred Brooks shows how to design anything. Wired, July 2010. https://www.wired.com/2010/07/ff-fred-brooks/

  • Kiran, M.: Using FLAME toolkit for agent-based simulation: case study sugarscape model. Computing Research Repository https://arxiv.org/abs/1408.3441 (2014)

  • Klügl, F.: A validation methodology for agent-based simulations. In: Proceedings of the 2008 ACM Symposium on Applied Computing, Fortaleza, 16–20 March 2008, pp. 39–43 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kravari, K., Bassiliades, N.: A survey of agent platforms. J. Artif. Soc. Soc. Simul. 18(1), 11 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lange, K., Oskam, I., Korevaar, G., Herder P.: Towards a design research methodology: agent-based model development through stakeholder participation in the case of decentralized urban vermicomposting facilities. In: 2017 International Symposium on Sustainable Systems and Technology, Chicago, 29 June 2017. http://programme.exordo.com/isie2017/delegates/presentation/382/. Accessed 17 Mar 2018

  • Nature Editorial: A model approach. Nature 460, 667 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  • Niazi, M.: Towards a novel unified framework for developing formal, network and validated agent-based simulation models of complex adaptive systems. Dissertation, University of Stirling (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  • Niazi, M., Hussain, A., Kolberg, M.: Verification & validation of agent based simulations using the VOMAS (virtual overlay multi-agent system) approach. In: Proceedings of the Third Workshop on Multi-Agent Systems and Simulation, Torino, 7–11 September 2009

    Google Scholar 

  • Nikolic, I., Ghorbani, A.: A method for developing agent-based models of socio-technical systems. In: 2011 IEEE International Conference on Networking, Sensing and Control, Delft, 11–13 April 2011

    Google Scholar 

  • North, M.J.: A theoretical formalism for analyzing agent-based models. Complex Adapt. Sys. Model. 2(1), 3 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • North, M.J., Collier, N.T., Vos, R.J.: Experiences creating three implementations of the repast agent modeling toolkit. ACM Trans. Model. Comput. Simul. 16(1), 1–25 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • North, M.J., Macal, C.M.: Managing Business Complexity: Discovering Strategic Solutions with Agent-Based Modeling and Simulation. Oxford University Press, New York (2007)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • North, M.J., Macal, C.M.: Product and process patterns for agent-based modeling and simulation. J. Simul. 8, 25–36 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olson, I.C., Horn, M.S.: Modeling on the table: agent-based modeling in elementary school with NetTango. In: Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Interaction Design and Children, Ann Arbor, 20–23 June 2011

    Google Scholar 

  • Project Management Institute: Project Management Body of Knowledge, 4th edn. Project Management Institute, Newtown Square (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rovere, S.L., North, M.J., Podestá, G.P., Bert, F.E.: Practical points for the software development of an agent-based model of a coupled human-natural system. IEEE Access 4, 4282–4298 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Santos, F., Nunes, I., Bazzan, A.L.C.: Model-driven engineering in agent-based modeling and simulation: a case study in the traffic signal control domain (extended abstract). In: Das, S., Durfee, E., Larson, K., Winikoff, M. (eds.) Proceedings of the 16th International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems, Sao Paulo, 8–12 May 2017, pp. 1725–1727 (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sargent, R.G.: Verification and validation of simulation models. In: Johansson, B., Jain, S., Montoya-Torres, J., Hugan, J., Yücesan, E. (eds.) Proceedings of the 2010 Winter Simulation Conference, Baltimore, 5–8 December 2010, pp. 166–183 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  • Siebers, P.O., Skatova, A., Vu, T., Aickelin, U.: A software engineering approach to designing agent-based models. University of Nottingham Presentation, 9 September 2013. http://www.cs.nott.ac.uk/~pszps/bemoossig/slides/BEMooSSIG-Siebers2013-09-13v3.pdf. Accessed 17 Mar 2018

  • Siegfried, R., Lehmann, A., Khayari, R.E.A., Kiesling, T.: A reference model for agent-based modeling and simulation. In: Proceedings of the 2009 Spring Simulation Multiconference, San Diego, 22–27 March 2009

    Google Scholar 

  • Software Craftsmanship Manifesto Signatories: Manifesto for software craftsmanship (2009). http://manifesto.softwarecraftsmanship.org/. Accessed 20 Mar 2018

  • Wooldridge, M.: Agent-based software engineering. IEE Proc. – Softw. 144(1), 26–37 (1997)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wooldridge, M., Jennings, N.R., Kinny, D.: The Gaia methodology for agent-oriented analysis and design. Auton. Agent. Multi-Agent Syst. 3(3), 285–312 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xiang, X., Kennedy, R., Madey, G., Cabaniss S.: Verification and validation of agent-based scientific simulation models. In: Agent-Directed Simulation Conference, San Diego, April 2005, pp. 27–34 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yilmaz, L., Ören, T.I.: Agent-directed simulation systems engineering. In: Proceedings of the 2007 Summer Computer Simulation Conference, San Diego, 16–19 July 2007, pp. 897–904 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1147 Greensfield Drive, Naperville, IL, 60563, USA

    Michael J. North

Authors
  1. Michael J. North
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Grenoble, France

    Yves Demazeau

  2. Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore

    Bo An

  3. Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain

    Javier Bajo

  4. Universidad de Castilla La Mancha, Albacete, Spain

    Antonio Fernández-Caballero

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

North, M.J. (2018). Hammer or Tongs: How Best to Build Agent-Based Models?. In: Demazeau, Y., An, B., Bajo, J., Fernández-Caballero, A. (eds) Advances in Practical Applications of Agents, Multi-Agent Systems, and Complexity: The PAAMS Collection. PAAMS 2018. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 10978. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94580-4_1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94580-4_1

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-94579-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-94580-4

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation