Metamodels for role-driven agent-based modelling

Abstract

A major challenge in agent-based modelling is the management of the process to generate executable simulations from the initial conceptual models. This process is complex and usually involves several roles, which may raise communication problems due to the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of participants and the use of non-explicit knowledge. This situation demands a clear separation and precise definition of the multiple aspects of the process, in order to facilitate their understanding, grasp their relationships and develop them. This paper addresses this goal with a fine-step refinement process for information based on the use of domain-specific languages. It considers analysis contexts that include a particular theoretical framework, domain, type of problem and target platform. For a given context, the process formally defines modelling languages conceptually close to the different aspects relevant to it. It also defines mappings between concepts in those languages. Researchers develop simulations by specifying models with the languages, and share and refine information by using mappings between these models. This infrastructure provides guidance throughout the process and makes the information involved explicit. A case study of continuous double auctions illustrates the approach.

Developing an Integrative Modelling Language for Enhancing Road Traffic Simulations

“…Those that do it, in general assume common development processes focused on source code, where models play only a documentation and communication role. The advantages of MDE in this scenario have been already discussed in the related literature [33]: explicit representation of the information, higher involvement of experts, enhanced model validation, and reusability.…”

Agreement technologies and their use in cloud computing environments

“…In +Cloud, the elastic management of the available resources was done by a Multi-agent System (MAS) based on Virtual Organizations (VO), see Figure 1. With this approach it is more easier to design the overall system [18]. In the +Cloud VO there is a set of agents that are especially involved in the adaptation of the system resources in view of the changing demand of the offered services.…”

An Integrative Modelling Language for Agent-Based Simulation of Traffic

“…The initial effort to develop this infrastructure is higher than just manually developing a simulation. However, it pays off with reutilisation across simulations and the explicit description of all the information used to develop them [2]. MLs and transformations can be incrementally defined, tested, and reused across different projects.…”

“…For this reason, researchers resort frequently to simulations [1]. However, these also present limitations [2]. The literature points out the difficulties with discussing and aligning simulation models at different levels of abstraction (e.g.…”

“…social theory and code design), for people with heterogeneous backgrounds, or implemented in different platforms. These issues make it hard to guarantee that the resulting simulation faithfully reflects the initial abstract model [3].The use of model-driven approaches has been proposed to overcome those limitations [2]. Model-Driven Engineer- ing (MDE) [4] organises development projects around models, which are compliant with well-defined Modelling Languages (MLs).…”