An object oriented methodology for the specification of Markov models

Abstract

Modelers wish to specify their models in a symbolic, high level languae while analytic tecqniques require a low level, numerical representation. The translation between these description levels is a major problem. We describe a simple, but surprisingly powerfulapproach to specifying system level models based on an object oriented paradigm. This basic approach will be shown to have significant advantages in that it provides the basis for a modular, extensible modeling tools. With this methodology, modeling tools can be quickly and easily tailored to particular application domains. An implementation in Prolog of a system based on this methodology is described and some example applications are given. The advantages of Prolog as an implementation language are also discussed