Computational Modeling Systems: Supporting the Development ofScientific Models

We develop a conceptual model of the iterative process of scientific modeling.This model provides an appropriate specification for a large number of conceptsrelating to those aspects of the scientific modeling process that requiresignificant computational support. In particular, we develop, define andexemplify the unifying concept of representational structures. We employ theconceptual model in developing a framework for a ``computational modelingsystem\'\' (CMS) that supports scientific activity within a simple, unified,computational environment. A high level computational modeling language (CML)is presented with which the modeling concepts that are definable in thecomputational framework may be constructed and manipulated in a simple, uniformmanner. Finally, we describe the design and implementation of a specificcomputational modeling system, Amazonia, which is intended to supportscientific research in the area of earth science. A particularly significantcontribution of the paper is the development of a strong conceptual andtheoretical basis for the concept of a CMS.Note: This work is supported by NSF grant IRI-9117094.