Introduction to Agent-Based Modeling

Agent-based modeling is a computational tool that is often used to study complex systems or phenomena. An agent-based model studies a system or a phenomenon through observing the interactions among a group of autonomous agents. The interactions produce macro-level patterns, which often cannot be described as simply aggregating characteristics of individual agents. We call these patterns as emergent properties. Studying the emergent properties are particularly useful for deciphering mechanisms, and testing concepts.