Editing Model (section)

==Properties of models, according to general model theory==
According to [[Herbert Stachowiak]], a model is characterized by at least three properties:<ref>Herbert Stachowiak: ''Allgemeine Modelltheorie'', 1973, S. 131–133.</ref>

; 1. Mapping
: A model always is a model ''of something''—it is an image or representation of some natural or artificial, existing or imagined original,<ref>{{Cite web |title=TRICK: An Easy Acronym to Conceptualize Digital Twin |url=https://www.automation.com/en-us/articles/february-2024/trick-easy-acronym-conceptualize-digital-twin?listname=Automation%20&%20Control%20News%20&%20Articles#authorInfo |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=automation.com |language=en}}</ref> where this original itself could be a model.
; 2. Reduction
: In general, a model will not include all attributes that describe the original but only those that appear relevant to the model's creator or user.
; 3. Pragmatism
: A model does not relate unambiguously to its original. It is intended to work as a replacement for the original
: a) for certain subjects ''(for whom?)''
: b) within a certain time range ''(when?)''
: c) restricted to certain conceptual or physical actions ''(what for?)''.

For example, a street map is a model of the actual streets in a city (mapping), showing the course of the streets while leaving out, say, traffic signs and road markings (reduction), made for pedestrians and vehicle drivers for the purpose of finding one's way in the city (pragmatism).

Additional properties have been proposed, like ''extension'' and ''distortion''<ref>Thalheim: ''Towards a Theory of Conceptual Modelling''. In: ''Journal of Universal Computer Science'', vol. 16, 2010, no. 20, S. 3120</ref> as well as ''validity''.<ref>Dietrich Dörner: ''Thought and Design – Research Strategies, Single-case Approach and Methods of Validation''. In: E. Frankenberger et&nbsp;al. (eds.): ''Designers. The Key to Successful Product Development''. Springer-Verlag, Berlin et&nbsp;al. 1998, S. 3–11.</ref> The American philosopher Michael Weisberg differentiates between concrete and mathematical models and proposes computer simulations (computational models) as their own class of models.<ref>M. Weisberg: ''Simulation and Similarity - using models to understand the world.'' Oxford University Press, New York 2013</ref>