Trustworthy agent-based simulation: the case for domain-specific modelling languages

• Published in: Software and systems modeling Vol. 22; no. 2; pp. 455 - 470
• Main Authors: Zschaler, Steffen, Polack, Fiona A. C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.04.2023; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agent-based models; Behavior; Compilers; Complex systems; Computer Science; Design; Engineering; Experimentation; Experiments; Expert Voice; Hypotheses; Information Systems Applications (incl.Internet); Interpreters; IT in Business; Laboratories; Languages; Maintainability; Modelling; Programming Languages; Programming Techniques; Sensitivity analysis; Simulation; Software; Software Engineering; Software Engineering/Programming and Operating Systems; Subject specialists; Trust
• ISSN: 1619-1366; 1619-1374; 1619-1374
• DOI: 10.1007/s10270-023-01082-9

Simulation is a key tool for researching complex system behaviour. Agent-based simulation has been applied across domains, such as biology, health, economics and urban sciences. However, engineering robust, efficient, maintainable, and reliable agent-based simulations is challenging. We present a vision for engineering agent simulations comprising a family of domain-specific modelling languages (DSMLs) that integrates core software engineering, validation and simulation experimentation. We relate the vision to examples of principled simulation, to show how the DSMLs would improve robustness, efficiency, and maintainability of simulations. Focusing on how to demonstrate the fitness for purpose of a simulator, the envisaged approach supports bi-directional transparency and traceability between the original domain understanding to the implementation, interpretation of results and evaluation of hypotheses.