An introduction to Simile

Vanclay, Jerome K. (2002). An introduction to Simile. In: Harrison, S., Herbohn, J., Mangaoang, E. and Vanclay, J., Socio-economic Research Methods in Forestry: A Training Manual. International Training Workshop, Leyte State University, ViSCA, Baybay, The Philippines, (85-93). 4-10 February 2002.

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Author Vanclay, Jerome K.
Title of paper An introduction to Simile
Conference Paper Type Fully Published Paper
Conference name International Training Workshop
Conference location Leyte State University, ViSCA, Baybay, The Philippines
Conference dates 4-10 February 2002
Proceedings title Socio-economic Research Methods in Forestry: A Training Manual
Editor Harrison, S.
Herbohn, J.
Mangaoang, E.
Vanclay, J.
Place published Cairns, Qld, Australia
Publisher Rainforest CRC
Publication date 2002
ISBN 9780864436917; 0864436912
Start page 85
End page 93
Total pages 9
Abstract/Summary This module provides an introduction to Simile, a powerful modelling language with some innovative features. Simile is being developed by Dr Robert Muetzelfeldt, at the University of Edinburgh, with suggestions and testing by a number of users. The package is still under development, so it is getting better all the time, but it is already a sophisticated and stable package. Good documentation is available at http://www.ierm.ed.ac.uk/simile, including some that was prepared when Simile was known by its previous name, AME (Agroforestry Modelling Environment). The latest version of the software can also be downloaded without charge from this Web site, for PCs with Windows 9x or computers running Linux. Dr Muetzelfeldt has long had an interest in efficient representation of ecological information, and his development of Simile was due in part because of his concern that with many models, the documentation, diagrams and computer implementation diverge. So he set out to build a modelling platform where the diagram was the model and the documentation, and he's close to achieving this goal. He's also provided the possibility to create a model that runs on a computer without the need for computer code or mathematical equations. However, there's no free lunch, and it is necessary to learn some of the standard notation used in systems dynamics to be able to use this package. This module provides introduces the systems dynamics notation, and then provides a worked example of developing a Simile model to represent a personal bank account. Some of the unique features of simile are then examined with reference to a simple forestry model. Finally, two other examples of forestry models are presented briefly.
Subjects 300803 Natural Resource Management
280303 Programming Languages
280210 Simulation and Modelling
300604 Management and Environment
0705 Forestry Sciences
Keyword Forest modeling
Forest planning
Silviculture
Agroforestry
Q-Index Code E1
Q-Index Status Provisional Code
Institutional Status Unknown

Document type: Conference Paper
Sub-type: Fully Published Paper
Collection: School of Agriculture and Food Sciences
 
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Created: Wed, 07 Jun 2006, 10:00:00 EST by Jerome K. Vanclay on behalf of Faculty Of Nat Resources, Agric & Veterinary Sc