Modelleznek

Modelleznek is a framework and collaborative initiative designed for the construction, exchange, and execution of computational models across disciplines. It emphasizes interoperability among modeling paradigms, reproducibility of experiments, and scalability of simulation workflows. The project supports both research and applied use cases, from academic studies to policy planning.

Origin and naming: The term Modelleznek draws on the Hungarian word modellezni (to model) with a plural suffix, reflecting its community-driven nature. The initiative began in 2015 as a joint effort by several European universities and research labs after a series of workshops on integrative modeling. It evolved into an open-source platform with a shared modeling language and common data formats.

Architecture and components: Modelleznek offers a modular stack consisting of a modeling language, a simulator, and a library ecosystem. It supports multiple modeling paradigms, including agent-based, discrete-event, and continuous-time models, and provides adapters to connect external data sources. The platform uses open standards for model representation and exchange, enabling collaboration and replication of results. Documentation and tutorials accompany core components to aid adoption.

Applications and impact: The framework is used in urban planning, epidemiology, energy systems, environmental modeling, and other domains where complex system behavior is studied. Researchers use Modelleznek to compare modeling approaches, reproduce published experiments, and share model components. While it aims to lower barriers to collaboration, some users note a learning curve and the need for governance around model provenance and licensing.