RBpop

RBpop is an open-source software library intended for modeling population dynamics through agent-based simulations. It provides a modular framework that lets researchers define populations, individuals, and environments, and then run experiments to study how rules governing reproduction, movement, mortality, and resource availability shape outcomes over time. The project emphasizes reproducibility, with support for scenario configuration, deterministic or stochastic runs, and systematic data collection.

RBpop's architecture centers on a core simulation engine and a plugin system. The core handles time stepping, state management, and event scheduling, while plugins enable users to add custom population models, environmental dynamics, and data-collection modules without modifying the core. A set of example models and templates helps new users implement their own scenarios. The library prioritizes portability and extensibility, enabling use in research, education, and policy analysis.

Typical use cases include ecological population dynamics, epidemiological spread in structured populations, resource management simulations, and urban planning studies that involve human or agent-based populations. It is commonly employed in academic settings and by organizations that require transparent, repeatable experiments.

RBpop is maintained by an international community of volunteers and is distributed via public repositories. Documentation includes API references, tutorials, and example projects. The project welcomes contributions and collaborations from researchers, educators, and developers interested in population modeling.