sugarscape overview.txt

Sugarscape模型仿真

	Contents
	--------
1) Introduction
2) Current features
3) Features to be added
4) Types of assistance required



1) Introduction
---------------

This project attempts/intends to apply computer-based modeling techniques to study human
social phenomena including gathering, migration, interaction with an environment, trade,
propogation of disease, population dynamics & much more.

The broad aim here is to develop computational approach that permits the study of diverse
types of human activity from an evolutionary perspective. Utility for education &
research also requires the ability to configure various parameters controlling the
simulation.

The software attempts this by using an OOP approach that represents the components
required (terrain, human beings, resources) as objects with defined properties and rules
of behavior.
Initial objectives have already been achieved including the development of the above
objects & the environment in which they come together & interact. The development
includes a facility for tailoring the environment to create the dynamics desired by the
observer.

The major problem in any such endeavor is the design of the environment & the flexibility
that such design provides the ultimate end-users (the social science research community).
Part of that problem has been simplified with the adoption of ideas laid out in the book
described in section 3 of this document.

2) Current features
-------------------
The major features incorporated into the software include:
- implementation of the Game Of Life as described by Robert Conway
	with the facility to create initial templates.
- development of the Sugarscape object (the land environment) that will play host
	to the human beings populating it.
- the Citizen object representing the nature & properties of human beings.
- a constants file that enables initial seeding values for the various aspects of
	simulations that a researcher seeks to manipulate.
- the graphical display that brings these elements together & depicts their interaction
	in real-time.
- the ability to toggle feedback for specific sections of the code rather than inundating
	users with overwhelming feedback from all processes occuring on the Sugarscape.
- a command line interface for controlling the simulation and toggling the values of
	variables during runtime.

3) Features to be added
-----------------------
The project objective is to continously increase the level of sophistication of the
various actors in the environment, especially the Citizen object. Features planned:
 - Introduction of sex, propogation, culture & conflict
 - the emergence of a second resource & the option for trade among Citizens
 - disease & natural catastrophes
Additionally we intend to incorporate startup templates & historical snapshots to be
generated & stored in some appropriate file format to enable exchange of results among
like-minded observers.

Depending on the level of interest, a website showcasing the software & providing
interaction to interested participantsmay be setup & maintained. Obtaining & reading a
copy of "Growing Artificial Societies - Social Science From The Bottoms Up" by J Epstein
& R Axtell is recommended. The book also comes with a CD that includes an implementation
of a similar model. The code however does not seem to be Open Source and I have never
seen or used it. I am in no way associated with the authors or publishers of this book.

4) Types of assistance required
-------------------------------
Background: The program has been written in Java and as such should work on any platform
that supports a JVM environment. It can also be hosted as an applet in webpages. It does
not use any database, software library or framework yet, but may do so in future.
I am a programmer of questionable expertise, enthusiasm bordering on the crazy and quite
new to Java. With that in mind, I would welcome any & all sorts of assistance especially:
 --> to discuss the general direction of the project, especially from members
	who are interested in using a program such as this.
 --> programmers to code, review & test, additions/revisions to the project.
 --> documentors to help document & develop an instruction manual.
 --> website developers to develop & maintain a project website including a page
	running the software & enabling surfers to test the program online.
If you would like to help but are unsure how, please write to me and I'll try to get you
involved.

abraham kannankeril
kannankeril at hotmail dot com
USA 425-497-1964