The SiMMaL Project

Simulation Module Markup Language

Vision Overview Framework Syntax Semantics Examples Java tools Download Discussion	The SiMMaL Project is researching methods for supporting modular, pluggable, simulation based on freely exchangable XML-based model components. It is possible that a Simulation Module Markup Language (SMML) could have an impact on the field of computer simulation similar to the impact that HTML has had on computer information exchange. Modular component design facilitates collaborative model construction, since teams of specialists can work independently on different modules with minimal risk of interference. Modules can be archived in distributed libraries and serve as a set of templates to speed future development. Our goal is to provide a universal modeling language to promote global collaborative model development. In order to achieve flexibility in knowledge representations, it is important to develop a formalism for coding archivable modules that allows maximal generality and applicability of the modules. This is best achieved by avoiding over-specification of modules, i.e. to achieve maximum generality by including only information essential to the definition of a module. Every bit of spurious information included in a module definition becomes a constraint which can reduce the applicability of the module. This site describes a prototype implementation of an XML-based Markup Language for describing the "behavior component" of simulation modules. This language encapsulates the structure and dynamics (equations) of a module in a purely declarative format, and can be utilized within a modeling environment to generate a highly configurable dynamic simulation. Later research phases should lead to the development of semi-independent languages describing the space and time components of the simulation language. The knowledge representations described in these pages focus primarily on describing self-contained, highly flexible simulation modules. We expect that an extension of this approach can also be used to link legacy models into a "federation" (which may also include SMML modules), and that this related specification will evolve in parallel with, and be greatly influence by the knowledge and space-time languages developed in the SiMMaL project.

Vision

The SiMMaL Project is researching methods for supporting modular, pluggable, simulation based on freely exchangable XML-based model components. It is possible that a Simulation Module Markup Language (SMML) could have an impact on the field of computer simulation similar to the impact that HTML has had on computer information exchange. Modular component design facilitates collaborative model construction, since teams of specialists can work independently on different modules with minimal risk of interference. Modules can be archived in distributed libraries and serve as a set of templates to speed future development. Our goal is to provide a universal modeling language to promote global collaborative model development.

In order to achieve flexibility in knowledge representations, it is important to develop a formalism for coding archivable modules that allows maximal generality and applicability of the modules. This is best achieved by avoiding over-specification of modules, i.e. to achieve maximum generality by including only information essential to the definition of a module. Every bit of spurious information included in a module definition becomes a constraint which can reduce the applicability of the module.

This site describes a prototype implementation of an XML-based Markup Language for describing the "behavior component" of simulation modules. This language encapsulates the structure and dynamics (equations) of a module in a purely declarative format, and can be utilized within a modeling environment to generate a highly configurable dynamic simulation. Later research phases should lead to the development of semi-independent languages describing the space and time components of the simulation language. The knowledge representations described in these pages focus primarily on describing self-contained, highly flexible simulation modules. We expect that an extension of this approach can also be used to link legacy models into a "federation" (which may also include SMML modules), and that this related specification will evolve in parallel with, and be greatly influence by the knowledge and space-time languages developed in the SiMMaL project.

The purpose of this site is to communicate our ideas and philosophy on modular simulation and canvas support for an XML-based simulation module language specification. It is hoped that this project will stimulate discussion leading to the adoption of a set of language standards for describing simulation modules, and support the development of a suite of modelling tools and libraries based on this specification. We invite all interested parties to review these specifiactions and provide feedback. A workshop is envisioned to develop a set of specifications that are general enough to support a wide range of modeling activites. Please let us know if you are interested in participating in this process. Comments on this specification and on the related Integrating Modeling Architecture (IMA) project can be posted to the Discussion board, which has been created to facilitate discussion and sharing of ideas.	People Thomas Maxwell Ferdinando Villa Robert Costanza Related Software Spatial Modelling Environment Collaborative Modelling Environment The Swarm Simulation System Related projects Integrating Modeling Architecture (IMA)

The purpose of this site is to communicate our ideas and philosophy on modular simulation and canvas support for an XML-based simulation module language specification. It is hoped that this project will stimulate discussion leading to the adoption of a set of language standards for describing simulation modules, and support the development of a suite of modelling tools and libraries based on this specification.

We invite all interested parties to review these specifiactions and provide feedback. A workshop is envisioned to develop a set of specifications that are general enough to support a wide range of modeling activites. Please let us know if you are interested in participating in this process.

Comments on this specification and on the related Integrating Modeling Architecture (IMA) project can be posted to the Discussion board, which has been created to facilitate discussion and sharing of ideas.

People

Thomas Maxwell
Ferdinando Villa
Robert Costanza

Related Software

Spatial Modelling Environment
Collaborative Modelling Environment
The Swarm Simulation System

Related projects

Integrating Modeling Architecture (IMA)

Site maintained by: Thomas Maxwell

Last modified: Tue Jan 26 11:51:15 EST 1999