Resources for learning systems modeling with tokens

Summary of Tools

Originated with cadcad study group. Examples can be linked to the table.

Tool	Design Purpose	Strengths	Weaknesses	Suitability for modeling dynamic systems	Examples
Spreadsheets	Tables of numbers and calculations	Easy to use Wide variety of calculations	Difficult to see relationships between numbers Difficult to maintain Numerical precision	Very simple systems
Python scripts	General programming language	Interpreted language allows simple development with read-eval-print loops Several libraries for advanced numerical analysis and modeling good numerical precision	May be challenging for people new to programming to build models	Simple to complex systems, depending on the software development skills
Julia-lang scripts	General programming language	Interpreted language allows simple development with read-eval-print loops Several libraries for advanced numerical analysis and modeling Good numerical precision Great parallel processing	May be challenging for people new to programming to build models Julia lang is a newer programming language with fewer off the shelf tools	Simple to complex systems, depending on the software development skills
Loopy	Visual app for creating and animating causal loop diagrams	Easy to create simple relationships using a well-defined diagramming structure Free to use	Works best with a small number of system elements and relationships Animations can be confusing Exporting isn’t great, needs to be recorded	Best for simple, closed-loop systems
Machinations	Visual app for designing game economies through graphical representation	Graphical, interactive design environment that also runs simulation models and collects metrics Support for simple calculations and feedback loops	Assumes all variables, relationships, and behaviors can be defined May have some precision loss Subscription required	Best for closed-loop systems
cadCAD	Python library for modeling complex adaptive systems	Model orchestration framework supports adaptive models at various levels of sophistication Ability to add external frameworks to models Open source	Can be difficult for people new to modeling and more difficult for people new to programming Potential challenges with scaling simulations	Suitable for models of various levels of complexity
radCAD	A cadCAD derivative with a simpler API	Same as cadCAD	Same as cadCAD	Same as cadCAD
tokenSPICE	EVM Agent-Based Token Simulator	Python library for simulating token dynamics directly in Ethereum Direct tie to Solidity contract code reduces chance of errors in translating simulation to real network	Specific to EVM— other blockchain environments would require adding new capabilities	Models of EVM ecosystems
Matlab	A general purpose mathematical modeling environment	Sophisticated toolkit with add-on packages for specific application domains	Proprietary language Integration with other tools or packages can be cumbersome License required	Suitable for models of various levels of complexity
Octave	Open source alternative to Matlab, supports many .m files without modification	Same as Matlab	Same as Matlab, without licensing requirement it’s free.	Suitable for models of various levels of complexity
R	R is a free software environment for statistical computing and graphics.	Lots of packages for performing statistical modeling Graphing libraries	Cumbersome package management system Syntax is challenging	Suitable for any type of statistical analysis
AnyLogic	Agent-based modeling tool	Implementation of agent-based models in Java High scalability Front-end visualization tools	All systems must be expressed as agent-based models License required	Suitable for systems that map naturally to agent-based models
Mesa	Agent-based modeling tool	Python implementation simple modular framework with visualization frontend baked in	It can be tricky to organize your first project, and there aren’t type hints making it easy to mismatch dimensions	Suitable for systems that map to agent based models
NetLogo	Agent-based modeling tool	Uses a simple language to allow you to understand a system GUI components and the ability to automatically extract insights about agents	Not in a popular language Tied to an IDE--- Hard to run or write without using the IDE	Suitable for systems that map to agent based models
LucidChart	Diagramming Tool	It’s pretty smooth Large library of pre defined shapes Decent curve to point mapping	Proprietary, not editable unless the other person has signed up Professional version requires license	Suitable for diagraming, Casual Loop Diagrams and Stock and Flow diagrams
DrawIO	Diagramming Tool	Links to different sources for storage Free and open source Decent collection of shapes Easy to share diagrams	Curve drawing is not the best It could have a few more pre defined shapes	Suitable for diagraming, Casual Loop Diagrams and Stock and Flow diagrams
PlantUML	Diagramming Tool	Makes it easy to write code to diagram things	Not very easy to translate this to token engineering A little cumbersome out of the box	Suitable for diagramming system flows
MermaidJS	Diagramming Tool	Code first diagramming tool Portable and extensible Open source Easy to write plugins Easy to embed in websites Reusable diagramming	It’s unknown how this translates to token engineering--- could be cumbersome	Suitable for diagramming system flows