System Dynamics Calculator
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System Dynamics Calculator
An Introduction to System Dynamics Models
Basic Calculator Architectures
The User Interface
Help
Security, Localization and Personalization
Software Versioning and Maintenance
Conventional Calculator Functionality
Unbounded Stocks
Modeled Stocks
Unrestricted Flows
Modeled Flows
Unconstrained Transformers
Modeled Transformers
Production Factories
Finance Factories
Analysis Factories
Optimization Factories
Finance Factory Package
Analysis Factory Package
Natural Science Factories
Physical Science Factories
Abstraction Layers, Fragments and Scripts
Mathematical, JAVA Strict Math and fdLibM (IEEE 754) Functions
Financial Functions
Statistical Functions
Physical and Chemical Functions (this section requires additional work)
Date and Time Functions
Other Functions
Basic Drawing Functions
Basic Model Building Functions
Defining Model Relationships
File Import and Export Functions
Loading a Model to Simulate
Defining the Model Simulation
Basic Simulator Control Strip Functions
Structural Model Errors
Calculations
Corrections
Thresholding
Error Detection and Reporting
Summarization
Indicators
Animation
Graphs and Tables
Pictures and Movies
File Import / Export Features
Appendix: The Modeling Process
The Personal Finance Model
Entities Kept and Measured
Flows Between the Entities
Internal and External Data Sources
ABSTRACT: This document describes a System Dynamics Calculator – an entirely new “visual” approach to computing for ordinary people. “Systems Thinking” and System Dynamics (SD) are traditional analysis and model simulation methods to gain insight into complex problems with a number of interacting dynamic factors. SD is used to simulate commodity market behavior that might result from global conflict for example. While SD provides insight into which factors have the greatest impact in a model, it does not solve problems. Also, its application is currently limited to a relatively small group of specially trained professionals. SD has the potential for many more to accomplish much more – but not with the current methods and tools.
The System Dynamics Calculator is a proposed software-based tool that will enable people who are unfamiliar with SD to solve a variety of complex problems and get real answers instead of just insights. The calculator will run on a broad range of computers from a desktop PC to a handheld touch screen device. This calculator represents a significant improvement over SD methods in use today with visual cues and an array of analysis tools that augment conventional SD techniques to give real answers. The calculator does not require comprehensive knowledge from the user to describe a problem or explore a solution. Unlike current SD tools, it can directly access and incorporate web-based information on the fly. An iPhone, G Phone or Pre owner running the System Dynamics Calculator application would be able to calculate the change to their 401K deduction necessary to be able to afford improved medical insurance and a new car, and then immediately see what the likely impact to their planned retirement date would be. In order to realize the greatest benefits of the System Dynamics Calculator, the adoption of model methods by an international standards body will be required in order to utilize models from multiple sources that are not proprietary or parochial. Easy access and use, a variety of readily available calculator models and data sets online, and compatibility with already purchased hardware platforms will bring this sophisticated problem solving tool to a significant percentage of the population to get answers to real problems from the trivial to the life-impacting.