Editing NetLogo

{{Short description|Programming language}}
{{Infobox programming language
| name = NetLogo
| logo = [[File:Netlogo.png|280px]]
| logo caption = 
| screenshot = Netlogo-ui.png
| screenshot caption = NetLogo [[graphical user interface]]
| family = [[Lisp (programming language)|Lisp]]
| paradigms = [[Multi-paradigm programming language|multi-paradigm]]: [[List of educational programming languages|educational]], [[Procedural programming|procedural]], [[Computer simulation#Types|agent-based]], [[Simulation language|simulation]]
| designer = [[Uri Wilensky]]
| developer = [[Northwestern University]] Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling
| released = {{Start date and age|1999}}
| latest release version = {{wikidata|property|edit|reference|P348}}
| latest release date    = {{start date and age|{{wikidata|qualifier|P348|P577}}}}
| typing = [[Dynamic typing|Dynamic]], [[Strong typing|strong]]
| scope = [[Scope (computer science)#Lexical scoping and dynamic scoping|Lexical]]
| programming language = [[Scala (programming language)|Scala]], [[Java (programming language)|Java]]
| platform = [[IA-32]], [[x86-64]]
| operating system = [[Cross-platform]]: [[Java virtual machine|JVM]]
| license = [[GNU General Public License|GPL]]
| file ext = .nlogo, .nlogo3d, .nls
| website = {{URL|ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo}}
| implementations = 
| dialects = 
| influenced by = [[Logo (programming language)|Logo]], [[StarLogo]]
| influenced = 
}}

'''NetLogo''' is a [[programming language]] and [[integrated development environment]] (IDE) for [[Agent-based model|agent-based]] modeling.

==About==
NetLogo was designed by [[Uri Wilensky]], in the spirit of the programming language [[Logo (programming language)|Logo]], to be "low threshold and no ceiling". It teaches programming concepts using [[Agent-based model|agents]] in the form of ''turtles'', ''patches'', ''links'' and the ''observer''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/docs/programming.html#agents |title=Types of Agents in NetLogo |last=Wilensky |first=Uri |date=1999–2019 |website=The Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling (CCL) |publisher=Northwestern University |location=Evanston, Illinois |access-date=2019-05-03}}</ref> NetLogo was designed with multiple audiences in mind, in particular: teaching [[child]]ren in the education community, and for [[Subject-matter expert|domain experts]] without a programming background to model related phenomena.<ref>{{cite conference
|last1=Kornhauser |first1=Daniel
|last2=Rand |first2=William
|last3=Wilensky |first3=Uri
|location=Chicago, Illinois
|date=November 15–17, 2007
|conference=Agent2007
|title=Visualization Tools for Agent-Based Modeling in NetLogo
|url=http://ccl.northwestern.edu/papers/2007/Kornhauser-Agent-2007.pdf |website=The Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling (CCL) |publisher=Northwestern University <!-- publisher: |location=Evanston, Illinois --> |access-date=2019-05-03
}}</ref>
Thousands of scientific articles have been published using NetLogo.<ref name="ref-list">{{cite web |url=http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/references.shtml |title=NetLogo References |last=Wilensky |first=Uri |date=1999–2025 |website=The Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling (CCL) |publisher=Northwestern University |location=Evanston, Illinois |access-date=2025-01-24}}</ref>

The NetLogo environment enables exploration of [[emergent phenomena]]. It comes with an extensive models library including models in a variety of domains, such as [[economics]], [[biology]], [[physics]], [[chemistry]], [[psychology]], and [[system dynamics]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/models/ |title=NetLogo Models Library |last=Wilensky |first=Uri |date=1999–2025 |website=The Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling (CCL) |publisher=Northwestern University |location=Evanston, Illinois |access-date=2019-05-03}}</ref> NetLogo allows exploration by modifying switches, sliders, choosers, inputs, and other interface elements.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/docs/interface.html#interface |title=Interface Guide |last=Wilensky |first=Uri |date=1999–2025 |website=The Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling (CCL) |publisher=Northwestern University |location=Evanston, Illinois |access-date=2020-01-24}}</ref> Beyond exploring, NetLogo allows authoring new models and modifying extant models.

NetLogo is open source and freely available from the NetLogo website.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/download.shtml |title=Download NetLogo |last=Wilensky |first=Uri |date=1999–2019 |website=The Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling (CCL) |publisher=Northwestern University |location=Evanston, Illinois |access-date=2019-05-03}}</ref> It is in use in a wide variety of educational contexts from elementary school to graduate school.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ccl.northwestern.edu/papers/2011/sengupta2011.pdf|title=Lowering the Learning Threshold: Multi-Agent-Based Models and Learning Electricity |last1=Sengupta |first1=Pratim |last2=Wilensky |first2=Uri |date=2011 |website=The Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling (CCL) |publisher=Northwestern University |location=Evanston, Illinois |access-date=2019-05-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Wilensky |first1=Uri |last2=Novak |first2=Michael |date=2010 |title=Epistemology and Science Education: Understanding the Evolution vs. Intelligent Design Controversy |chapter=Teaching and Learning Evolution as an Emergent Process: The BEAGLE project (chapter 10) |url=http://ccl.northwestern.edu/papers/2010/BEAGLE-chapter-final-distribute.pdf |editor-last=Taylor |editor-first=R. |editor2-last=Ferrari |editor2-first=M. |location=New York |publisher=Routledge }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url=http://ccl.northwestern.edu/papers/2009/Blikstein&Wilensky_AnAtomIsKnown.pdf |title=An Atom is Known by the Company it Keeps: A Constructionist Learning Environment for Materials Science Using Agent-Based Modeling (CCL) |last1=Blikstein |first1=Paulo |last2=Wilensky |first2=Uri |journal=International Journal of Computers for Mathematical Learning |year=2009 |volume=14 |issue=2 |pages=81–119 |doi=10.1007/s10758-009-9148-8|s2cid=10500589 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url=http://ccl.northwestern.edu/papers/2009/Levy&Wilensky_ConnectedChemistry.pdf |title=Students' Learning with the Connected Chemistry (CC1) Curriculum: Navigating the Complexities of the Particulate World |journal=Journal of Science Education and Technology |doi=10.1007/s10956-009-9145-7 |last1=Levy |first1=Sharona T. |last2=Wilensky |first2=Uri|year=2009 |volume=18 |issue=3 |pages=243–254 |bibcode=2009JSEdT..18..243L |s2cid=62526922 }}</ref> Many teachers make use of NetLogo in their curricula.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ccl.northwestern.edu/courses.shtml |title=University, secondary, and online courses that utilize NetLogo |last=Wilensky |first=Uri |date=1999–2019 |website=The Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling (CCL) |publisher=Northwestern University |location=Evanston, Illinois |access-date=2019-05-03}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://davidmholmes.net/Stuy |title=Comp Sci at Stuyvesant with D. Holmes |last=Holmes |first=David M. |date=<!--Undated--> |website=Professional web site for David Holmes |location=New York City, New York, United States |access-date=2019-05-03}}</ref> NetLogo is also widely used in scientific research having been used in several thousand research papers. <ref name="ref-list" />

NetLogo was designed and authored by Uri Wilensky,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sesp.northwestern.edu/profile/?p=89&/UriWilensky/ |title=Profile: Dr. Uri Wilensky}}</ref> director of [[Northwestern University]]'s Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling (CCL).<ref name="netlogo_creation">{{cite conference
|last1=Tisue |first1=Seth
|last2=Wilensky |first2=Uri
|conference=Agent2004
|location=Chicago, Illinois
|access-date=October 4, 2012
|date=October 2004
|url=http://ccl.northwestern.edu/papers/agent2004.pdf
|title=NetLogo: Design and Implementation of a Multi-Agent Modeling Environment
}}</ref>

== Other features ==

In addition to agent-based modeling, NetLogo also includes basic support for dynamic system modeling.

== Books ==

Several books have been published about NetLogo.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/resources.shtml |title=NetLogo: Resources and Links |last=Wilensky |first=Uri |date=1999–2019 |website=The Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling (CCL) |publisher=Northwestern University |location=Evanston, Illinois |access-date=2019-05-03}}</ref>

Books available in print include:

*{{cite book |title=An introduction to agent-based modeling: Modeling natural, social and engineered complex systems with NetLogo |last1=Wilensky |first1=Uri |last2=Rand |first2=William |publisher=[[MIT Press]] |year=2015 |isbn=978-0-262-73189-8 |location=Cambridge }}
*{{cite book |title=Agent-Based and Individual-Based Modeling: A Practical Introduction |last1=Railsback |first1=Steven F. |last2=Grimm |first2=Volker |publisher=[[Princeton University Press]] |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-691-13674-5 |location=Cambridge }}
*{{cite book |title=Spatial Simulation: Exploring Pattern and Process |last1=O'Sullivan |first1=David |last2=Perry |first2=George |publisher=[[John Wiley & Sons|Wiley-Blackwell]] |year=2013 |isbn=978-1-119-97079-8 }}
*{{cite book |title=Simulation for the Social Scientist, Second Edition |last1=Gilbert |first1=Nigel |last2=Troitzsch |first2=Klaus G. |publisher=[[McGraw Hill]] |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-335-21600-0 |location=London }}
*{{cite book |title=Computational Neuroscience and Cognitive Modeling (CCL) |last=Andersen |first=Britt |publisher=Sage |year=2014 |location=London |isbn=978-1-4462-4930-7}}
*{{cite book |title=Agent Based Modeling for Archaeology: Simulating the Complexity of Societies |last1=Romanowska |first1=Iza |last2=Wren |first2=Colin D. |last3=Crabtree |first3=Stefania A. |publisher=Santa Fe Institute Press |year=2021 |location=Santa Fe, New Mexico |isbn=978-1-947864-25-2}}

Books available online include:

* {{cite web |url=http://jmvidal.cse.sc.edu/papers/mas.pdf |title=Fundamentals of Multiagent Systems Using NetLogo |last=Vidal |first=Jose |date=2010}}

==Online courses==

{{As of|2019}}, several [[massive open online course]]s are being offered that use NetLogo for assignments and/or demonstrations:
* {{cite web |url=http://www.complexityexplorer.org/ |title=Introduction to Complexity |last=Mitchell |first=Melanie |publisher=Santa Fe Institute}}
* {{cite web |url=https://www.coursera.org/course/modelthinking |title=Model Thinking |last=Page |first=Scott E. |publisher=University of Michigan}}
*{{cite web |url=http://bert.stuy.edu/pbrooks/fall2018/materials/intro-year-1/intro-pilot-1_homepage.htm |title=Introduction to Comp Sci |last=Brooks |first=Peter |publisher=[[Stuyvesant High School]]}}

==Technical foundation==
NetLogo is [[free and open-source software]], released under a [[GNU General Public License]] (GPL).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/docs/faq.html#license|title=Under what license is NetLogo released? Is the source code available?}}</ref> Commercial licenses are also available. It is written in [[Scala (programming language)|Scala]] and  [[Java (programming language)|Java]] and runs on the [[Java virtual machine]] (JVM).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/faq.html|title=NetLogo Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) |date=December 14, 2015}}</ref> At its core is a hybrid interpreter/compiler that partially compiles user code to JVM bytecode.<ref name="faster_turtles">{{cite conference
|last1=Stonedahl |first1=Forrest
|last2=Tisue |first2=Seth
|last3=Wilensky |first3=Uri
|conference=Agent 2006
|location=Chicago, Illinois
|access-date=October 22, 2012
|date=2006
|url=http://ccl.northwestern.edu/papers/sond_tis_wil_breeding.pdf
|title=Breeding faster turtles: Progress towards a NetLogo compiler
}}</ref>

NetLogo Web is a version that runs on JavaScript, instead of the JVM, so models may be run in a web browser. However, it does not yet have all features of the desktop version.

==Examples==
A simple multiagent model in NetLogo is the Wolf-Sheep Predation model,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/models/WolfSheepPredation|title=Wolf Sheep Predation}}</ref> which is shown in the screenshot above. It models the population growth of a predator/prey system over time. It has the following characteristics:

* There are two breeds of turtles, called ''sheep'' and ''wolves''.
* Sheep and wolves move randomly and have limited energy.
* Wolves and sheep lose energy by moving. If a wolf or sheep has zero energy, it dies.
* Sheep gain energy by eating grass.
* Wolves gain energy by eating sheep.
* Both wolves and sheep can reproduce, sharing energy with their offspring.

==HubNet==

HubNet is a technology that uses NetLogo to run participatory simulations in the classroom.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/hubnet.html|title=HubNet Guide |date=December 14, 2015}}</ref> In a participatory simulation, a whole group of users takes part in enacting the behavior of a system. Using an individual device, such as a networked computer or [[Texas Instruments]] [[graphing calculator]], each user acts as a separate, independent agent.
One example of a HubNet activity is ''Tragedy of the Commons'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/models/HubNetTragedyoftheCommonsHubNet |title=Tragedy of the Commons HubNet |last=Wilensky |first=Uri |date=2002 |website=The Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling (CCL) |publisher=Northwestern University |location=Evanston, Illinois |access-date=2019-05-03}}</ref> which models the economic problem called the [[tragedy of the commons]].

==See also==
*[[Comparison of agent-based modeling software]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|ccl.northwestern.edu}}, CCL
** {{Official website|ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo}}, NetLogo
** [http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/models/ NetLogo Models Library]
** [http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/resources.shtml Other NetLogo-related resources on the web]
* [https://twitter.com/netlogo NetLogo news] via [[Twitter]]
* [https://groups.google.com/d/forum/netlogo-users Discussion group for users] hosted by [[Google]]
* [http://groups.google.com/group/netlogo-devel Discussion group for developers] hosted by [[Google]]
* [http://jmvidal.cse.sc.edu/netlogomas NetLogo models of multiagent systems]
*[http://davidmholmes.net/Stuy/1intro/hw.html David M. Holmes' website, containing beginner material for new NetLogo users]{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

{{Logo programming}}
{{Lisp programming language}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Netlogo}}
[[Category:Logo programming language family]]
[[Category:Agent-based programming languages]]
[[Category:Agent-based software]]
[[Category:Pedagogic integrated development environments]]
[[Category:Java platform]]
[[Category:Free software programmed in Scala]]
[[Category:Simulation programming languages]]
[[Category:Simulation software]]