Computational model

For mathematical models of computers, see Model of computation.

A computational model uses computer programs to simulate and study complex systems[1] using an algorithmic or mechanistic approach and is widely used in a diverse range of fields spanning from physics,[2] engineering,[3] chemistry[4] and biology[5] to economics, psychology, cognitive science and computer science.[1]

The system under study is often a complex nonlinear system[6] for which simple, intuitive analytical solutions are not readily available. Rather than deriving a mathematical analytical solution to the problem, experimentation with the model is done by adjusting the parameters of the system in the computer, and studying the differences in the outcome of the experiments.[7] Operation theories of the model can be derived/deduced from these computational experiments.

Examples of common computational models are weather forecasting models, earth simulator models, flight simulator models, molecular protein folding models, Computational Engineering Models (CEM),[8] and neural network models.

See also

• Computational Engineering
• Computational cognition
• Reversible computing
• Agent-based model
• Artificial neural network
• Computational linguistics
• Computational human modeling
• Data-driven model
• Decision field theory
• Dynamical systems model of cognition
• Membrane computing
• Ontology (information science)
• Programming language theory
• Microscale and macroscale models

References

1. "Computational Modeling". National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering. May 2020. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
2. "Computational Modelling in Space Physics". Frontiers Research Topic. Archived from the original on 2023-06-27. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
3. "What is Computational Engineering?". Dept of Aerospace Engineering & Engineering Mechanics - Cockrell School of Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
4. "Computational Molecular Modeling - an overview". ScienceDirect Topics. Archived from the original on 2023-06-27. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
5. Davey, Reginald (2021-04-14). "Computational Modeling in Developmental Biology". News-Medical.net. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
6. Grubb, Amanda L.; Moushegian, Alex; Heathcote, Daniel J.; Smith, Marilyn J. (2020-01-06). Physics and Computational Modeling of Nonlinear Transverse Gust Encounters. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi:10.2514/6.2020-0080. ISBN 978-1-62410-595-1. S2CID 213530407.
7. "Computational models - Latest research and news". Nature. Retrieved 2021-04-08.
8. "Computational Modelling in Engineering". University of Zagreb Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing. Retrieved 2023-06-27.