Abstract
The time has now arrived in the model-building process to consider the implementation of the model on the computer. Inevitably the discussion moves towards the selection of an appropriate computer language. In this book the language FORTRAN is used in the text examples because it is a widely understood code. While this is a consideration in selecting a language for a particular modelling exercise it is by no means the only or the most compelling basis for selection. Once this decision is made the translation from the flow diagram to the selected language must be made. This is a time when the fallibility of the human mind can become more than a simple irritant as mistakes and errors inevitably creep into the translation. This chapter has two aims:
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to outline the arguments in the determination of a suitable computer language for a specific modelling project;
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to provide guidelines for translating the model into the selected language in such a way as to limit the number of errors.
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References
Charlton, P. J. (1971). Computer languages for system simulation. In: Dent, J. B. and Anderson, J. R. (eds), Systems Analysis in Agricultural Management. Sydney: Wiley.
Shannon, R. E. (1975). Systems Simulation: The Art and the Science, Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall Inc.
Teichroew, D. & Lubin, J. F. (1966). Computer simulation—discussion of the technique and comparison of languages. Commun. A.C.M., 9, 723–741.
Yourdon, E. (1975). Techniques of Program Structure and Design. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall Inc.
Further Reading
Chapas, L. C. (1970). Computer languages for model building. In: Jones, J. G. W. (ed), The Use of Models in Agricultural and Biological Research. Hurley: Grassland Research Institute.
Claney, J. J. & Fineberg, M. S. (1965). Digital simulation languages: A critique and guide. Proc. A.F.I.P.S., Fall Joint Computer Conf.
Dimsdale, B. & Markowitz, H. M. (1964). A description of the SIMSCRIPT language. I.B.M. Systems J., 3, 57–67.
Llewellen, R. W. (1965). FORDYN—An Industrial Simulator. Raleigh, N. C.
Pugh, A. L. (1963). Dynamo Users’ Manual. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press.
Radford, P. J. (1970). Some considerations governing the choice of a suitable simulation language. In: Jones, J. G. W. (ed), The Use of Models in Agricultural and Biological Research. Hurley: Grassland Research Institute.
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© 1979 Applied Science Publishers Ltd
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Dent, J.B., Blackie, M.J. (1979). Computer Considerations. In: Systems Simulation in Agriculture. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-6373-6_3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-6373-6_3
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
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