Re: fractional time values in an integer Schedule (sort of)

[Paul E. Johnson]

address@hidden wrote:
> 
> hihi, all -

> 
> the problem seems to me to be how to send out an integer number of packets
> when the computed rate is not an integer (e.g., 2.43) -

You are using terms with which I am unfamiliar. What do you mean
"packets"?  What does it mean "send out 2 packets in the usual way."  I
understand Swarm schedules, but not your terms.  I also don't know what
you mean "backcompute F()" or what criterion you use to decide it is
unreasonable.

Can you clarify, or give a small example swarm code for it?
> 
> first, i would take the integer part of the number (i.e., 2) and send out 2
> packets in the usual way
> 
> then, i would take the fractional part of the number (0.43), and, with
> probability 0.43, send out one more packet
> 
> in the long run, it makes the rates work exactly rather than approximately (so
> if that doesn't matter very much, alex's method is much simpler)
> 
> finally, i would record the actual values for the number of packets sent, and
> use it to backcompute F() for instrumentation purposes - if the resulting time
> history or distribution of F() values is unreasonable, then there is a
> sensitivity in the model that needs to be examined
> 
> more later,
> cal


-- 
Paul E. Johnson                         email: address@hidden
Dept. of Political Science              http://lark.cc.ukans.edu/~pauljohn
University of Kansas                    Office: (785) 864-9086
Lawrence, Kansas 66045                  FAX: (785) 864-5700


                  ==================================
   Swarm-Modelling is for discussion of Simulation and Modelling techniques
   esp. using Swarm.  For list administration needs (esp. [un]subscribing),
   please send a message to <address@hidden> with "help" in the
   body of the message.
                  ==================================