Working with
submodels

Simile enables you to wrap any part of your model diagram up in a
round-cornered box, called a submodel. The submodel concept can be used to
address a wide range of modelling needs, including plug-and-play
modularity, disaggregation, spatial modelling and individual-based
modelling. If you are new to Simile, you are strongly encouraged to read
the introduction to the submodel
element, so that you are aware of the various uses of submodels in your
modelling.

Defining properties

A submodel's properties are set using a dialogue box invoked by
double-clicking anywhere within the submodel in select mode, or by using the
"Properties" command of the "Model" menu, when the submodel is opened in a
separate window.

• Submodel properties dialogue

Operations on submodels

The following tools are used to perform operations on submodels.

Multiple-instance submodels

Multiple-instance submodels are one of Simile's most valuable features,
for constructing object-based models. For real-world objects, such as a
tree, it is useful to be able to model several particular instances of the
object, each acting in the same general way, though differing in their
particular attributes.

• Fixed membership submodels have a
  specified number of instances

• Population (variable membership)
  submodels offer control over the number of instances using special model
  elements

Advanced use of submodels

• Plug-and-play modularity uses
  submodels to substitute one alternative section of a model for another, or
  to include a model developed for another purpose or at a different time
  within a second model.

• Conditional submodels use Boolean logic
  to determine the existence or otherwise of parts of the model.

• Iterative submodels contain components that
  are evaluated repeatedly until a finishing condition is met.

• Satellite submodels are used to extract a
  subset of values from a population submodel according to a given
  condition.

• Association submodels represent the
  properties of an association between two other submodels.

• Externally-supplied procedures, with
  array arguments and results and their own internal state, can be embodied
  by submodels.

In: Contents