An introduction to model integration and integrated modeling environments

摘要

Integrated modeling systems provide support for the definition, manipulation, and control of mathematical models throughout the entire modeling life cycle. Model integration is a particularly crucial operation which requires thinking about “modeling in the large”, and which extends the scope of model management research to include manipulation as well as definition. Several aspects of model integration are identified and briefly described with respect to the problems they raise for constructing integrated modeling environments. Relevant work in these areas is cited. A brief introduction to each of the papers in this special issue is provided within the context established.