A survey of model representations and simulation algorithms in some existing modeling systems

Abstract

The purpose of the paper is to explore the possibilities for automatically communicating models between modeling systems. The main difficulty in model communication seems to be the difference in information requirements between solution algorithms. The paper therefore discusses the difference between a model and a solution algorithm, and it describes the most common simulation algorithms from the perspective of information requirements. It continues to survey sixteen econometric modeling systems, concentrating on how equations and simulation models are defined, and on the correlation between model formats and simulation algorithms. Other aspects covered are if-then-else constructions, more general model types like optimal control models, and indexing.