An Introduction to Agent-Based Modeling: Modeling Natural, Social, and Engineered Complex Systems with NetLogo

by Uri Wilensky, William Rand

A comprehensive and hands-on introduction to the core concepts, methods, and applications of agent-based modeling, including detailed NetLogo examples. The advent of widespread fast computing has enabled us to work on more complex problems and to build and analyze more complex models. This book provides an introduction to one of the primary methodologies for research in this new field of knowledge. Agent-based modeling (ABM) offers a new way of doing by conducting computer-based experiments. ABM is applicable to complex systems embedded in natural, social, and engineered contexts, across domains that range from engineering to ecology. An Introduction to Agent-Based Modeling offers a comprehensive description of the core concepts, methods, and applications of ABM. Its hands-on approach—with hundreds of examples and exercises using NetLogo—enables readers to begin constructing models immediately, regardless of experience or discipline. The book first describes the nature and rationale of agent-based modeling, then presents the methodology for designing and building ABMs, and finally discusses how to utilize ABMs to answer complex questions. Features in each chapter include step-by-step guides to developing models in the main text; text boxes with additional information and concepts; end-of-chapter explorations; and references and lists of relevant reading. There is also an accompanying website with all the models and code.

Genres: Academic, Science

504 pages, Paperback

First published March 20, 2015

Reviews

[eri b.❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for class, excellent introduction to both ABM and NetLogo software! It made it very easy to understand, and also I'd recommend this for people with no programming background, very good to starting asap in modeling.

[Alejandro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great overview of the whole field of Agent Based Modeling by one of it top masters. The developer of the NetLogo software.

This book has several purposes:
* it presents several ABMs and their explanations
* it also shows how this method can be easier to develop and to reason about than the more traditional Equation Based Modeling.
* And much more.

Although the book is excellent and it is very complete.
At times it felt repetitive and verbose...
I feel it could have achived the same amount with less pages.

But in general a great introduction to the field.

[Rory Švarc · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastically clear introduction to running agent-based models. Details of how the code works are run through, and example exercises are provided to help one understand the material well. Most impressively, it does this whilst assuming practically no prior knowledge.

[Vince · Rating 4 out of 5]

A useful and practical tool for learning how to build NetLogo models. Dr. Rand's course (ComplexityExplorer.Org) drew from but didn't slavishly repeat the text. I recommend his course as well.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thorough and useful overview to be used together with the NetLogo models library.