VisualBots for Excel

Category Cross-Omics>Agent-Based Modeling/Simulation/Tools

Abstract VisualBots for Excel is an ‘educational tool’ for exploring the world of multi-agent systems and their ‘emergent behaviors’.

Real-world systems such as the flocking of birds, formation of crystals, trends in fashion, and the foraging behaviors of ants are examples of ‘group behavior’ resulting from the collective interactions between many self-directed individuals, or ‘agents’.

One aspect of phenomenon such as these is that very complex system behaviors and patterns can emerge from agents interacting with one another according to a relatively simple set of rules - often unaware of the consequences of their actions in the “big picture” scheme of things.

The study of emergent behavior spans a wide range of different fields including ‘molecular biology’, chemistry, thermodynamics, ethology, social and political science, economics, art, computer science, and education, to name a handful.

Because of the increasing awareness of the importance and impact these systems have on shaping the world around us, there is a rapidly growing body of research that focuses on how to model these systems with computers in order to better understand them.

VisualBots simulator --

The VisualBots simulator can be used to create ‘virtual worlds’ of ‘programmable agents’ that interact with one another through time.

The simulator is an ActiveX control that exposes the advanced set of VisualBots objects, methods, and properties that are manipulated using Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications that is packaged with Microsoft Excel.

The simulator consists of graphics window for viewing a simulation's progress through time and an easy to use user interface for starting, monitoring, and stopping simulations.

VisualBots Object Model --

Visualbots employs an ‘object-oriented’ design. The VisualBots object model is hierarchical, with the top level being the “World” object.

The World object exposes a ‘second level’ which consists of collections of agents. Each of these collections exposes a ‘third level’ consisting of the individual agents.

There are two (2) types of agents - one is a ‘movable object’ called a “Bot”. Any number of Bots can exists and interact within a simulation.

The other type of agent is a ‘stationary object’ called a “Cell” which occupies a rectangular area. Cells are arranged in a regular grid pattern covering the simulation space.

Bot and Cell characteristics (properties) and actions (methods) can be controlled at the collection and individual levels.

The object model also includes functionality for simulation control, coordinate system definition, user-defined agent properties, math support, random number generation, and color management.

Why Excel?

VisualBots for Excel leverages the ‘programming capabilities’ that exist in Excel, eliminating the need for a separate language interpreter.

Simulations are written in Visual Basic using the Excel Visual Basic for Applications interface and saved with each Excel document.

The VisualBots object model is complemented by the extensive spreadsheet functionality that already exists in Excel, such as data analysis and charting functions.

The examples on the projects page of the manufacturer's web site make extensive use of the Excel Form controls for creating buttons, checkboxes, and edit boxes that work with the VisualBots simulator.

The Visual Basic Editor, Object Browser, and technologies such as Microsoft's ‘Intellisense’ make learning how to program using the VisualBots object model easier.

Intellisense - A form of auto-completion that suggests to the programmer during typing the possible properties and methods that can be used with each object.

Summary of Features --

VisualBots for Excel includes the following features:

1) Easy to use graphical interface for controlling and viewing simulations;

2) Extensive object model - over 200 objects, methods, and properties;

3) Object-oriented programming syntax using Microsoft Visual Basic;

4) Comprehensive documentation;

5) Manipulation of ‘agent collections’;

6) User-defined coordinate system;

7) Bounded rectangle, toroidal and unbounded simulation topologies;

8) Fast neighbor search algorithms;

9) Advanced color management functionality;

10) User-defined properties;

11) Tools for simulation testing and monitoring;

12) Leverages existing Microsoft Excel functionality; and

13) Sample simulations are included.

The VisualBots for Excel software consists of the following components --

VisualBots Simulator -

The programmable VisualBots Simulator. The simulator must be “inserted” into an Excel spreadsheet before it can be used to create and run simulations.

The simulator is programmed using the Visual Basic Editor which comes with Microsoft Excel.

Help documentation -

This documentation consists of an extensive object model reference and how-to guide for the VisualBots Simulator.

The ‘help file’ can be accessed from the simulator and also is linked to the Visual Basic Editor's Object Browser.

Excel Helper Add-in program -

A “helper” Excel Add-in that provides an easy way to insert the VisualBots simulator into a spreadsheet. The add-in creates a menu on the standard menu bar.

The Add-in can be activated or deactivated through the Tools/Add-ins menu in Excel. Installation of this feature is optional.

Sample simulation projects -

A set of example simulation projects demonstrating multiple features of the VisualBots simulator - the quickest way to learn how to program the simulator. Installation of this feature is optional.

System Requirements

Contact manufacturer.

Manufacturer

Manufacturer Web Site VisualBots for Excel

Price Contact manufacturer.

G6G Abstract Number 20606

G6G Manufacturer Number 104206