There are many alternative simulation styles to an ABM simulation
architecture:

   - Discrete-event queuing models
   - Continuous systems simulation (ex: CSMP)
   - Procedural discrete event (ex: SimSCRIPT)
   - CA

The use (or not) of a subroutine in the underlying code  has nothing to do
with the simulation architecture being used.

--Doug

On Mon, Jan 5, 2009 at 9:34 AM, John Kennison <[email protected]> wrote:

>
>
> Perhaps the first step in forming a taxonomy is to see if there is a
> reasonable way to distinguish ABMs from non-ABMs. I am guessing here, but is
> using a subroutine the alternative to using an ABM? (For example, is it the
> case that a subroutine which computes square roots can be viewed as an agent
> whose purpose in life is to find square roots?) Is the difference merely a
> matter of FOR? If my distinction between subroutines and ABMs makes sense,
> are some features that would make something more likely to be thought of as
> an ABM rather than a subroutine?
> ________________________________________
> From: [email protected] [[email protected]] On Behalf Of
> Douglas Roberts [[email protected]]
> Sent: Sunday, January 04, 2009 2:16 PM
> To: The Friday Morning Applied Complexity Coffee Group
> Subject: Re: [FRIAM] Classification of ABM's
>
> Jim,
>
> I cheerfully concede that one is free to view the universe or any of its
> subcomponents through an astoundingly large variety of frames of reference
> (FOR).  Whichever FOR best gets a person through the day is the one that
> should be used.  As a not-so-extreme example, an acquaintance of mine has
> adopted a particular FOR that allows him to believe with every fiber in his
> being that the Mountain Meadows Massacre<
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountain_Meadows_massacre> of September, 1857
> (an event that occurred well within the annals of recorded history) was
> perpetrated by American Indians.
>
> Myself, I prefer to us a FOR that requires the minimum of force-fitting to
> help me get my job done.  However, those of you out there who have this
> apparent burning desire to see taxonomy structure as the frame of reference
> which will provide the guiding light into the magical mystery wonderland of
> successful ABM design,  go for it!
>
> Myself, I don't see much traction there.  But, on the other hand, I believe
> the Mountain Meadows Massacre was on Mormons by other Mormons.  Go figure.
>
> --Doug
>
> On Sun, Jan 4, 2009 at 11:54 AM, Nicholas Thompson <
> [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
> Jim,
>
> Don't blame the form of the question on Doug.
>
> I supplied the straw.
>
> Nick
>
> Nicholas S. Thompson
> Emeritus Professor of Psychology and Ethology,
> Clark University ([email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>)
>
>
>
>
> > [Original Message]
> > From: Jim Gattiker <[email protected]<mailto:
> [email protected]>>
> > To: <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>>; The
> Friday Morning Applied Complexity
> Coffee Group <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>>
> > Date: 1/4/2009 8:57:28 AM
> > Subject: Re: [FRIAM] Classification of ABM's
> >
> > > AHA!  you DO have a taxonomy.
> >
> > To pile on here (I suspect Doug can take it):
> >
> >   Doug, after you set up the straw man that there was no taxonomy
> > possible, you went on to discuss how you believe there is, in an
> > implementation sense, a core set of ABM features. I suggest also that
> > software engineers work on ABM environments because the notion of a
> > core functionality augmented with structured parts is a compelling
> > idea. IF there's a core set of features, AND there are consequent
> > optional features, THEN this is a taxonomy. No? At least in
> > implementation.
> >
> >    --jim
>
>
>
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>
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