SimSoup 0.4

SimSoup is a graphical Artificial Chemistry simulator for Linux and Windows.

The program enables a Chemistry to be defined in terms of Molecule Types and the possible Interactions between them. A simulation run involves setting up a number of Molecules of various Molecule Types in a Reactor, and then allowing Interactions to take place over a period of time. Interactions taking place in the Reactor are shown on a graphical display.

The motivation for development of the program is to enable investigations into the behaviour of networks, particularly in relation to 'metabolism first' theories of the origin of life, although the basic design of SimSoup supports modelling of any network in which interactions can take place between nodes.

Currently, SimSoup development has reached prototype stage.

Here are some key features of "SimSoup":

· A Chemistry: Including Molecule Types and Interaction Types
· A Reactor: In which interactions take place between Molecules of the various types
· Graphical Views of the Chemistry and Reactor State
· Graphical Display of Simulation Statistics including:-

- Time Series Plots: These show the time series behaviour of a range of variables that are monitored as the simulation runs
- Manhattan Plot: This shows the variability in the composition of the material in the Reactor over time

· Trackers and Cycle Detection (NEW): These enable cycles to be detected and monitored
· Mass Conservation
· Heat and Thermodynamics (NEW): Reaction rates are based on considerations of energy and thermodynamics
· Scenario Display: A display of the current scenario and status information on its progress
· Action Requests (NEW): These are events that can be scheduled to take place at particular times. For example, an Action Request can be setup to cause a Molecule of a particular type to be added to the Reactor
· Input Processor (NEW): This enables a simulation scenario to be defined in a file and loaded to SimSoup
· System Monitor: A (partly hidden) screen - mainly for diagnostic purposes
· Improved user interface based fully on GTK (NEW)

Requirements:

· GSL (GNU Scientific Library)
· GTKMM (A C++ interface to the GTK+ GUI library)

What's New in This Release:

· Trackers and Cycle Detection: These enable cycles to be detected and monitored
· Heat and Thermodynamics: Reaction rates are based on considerations of energy and thermodynamics
· Action Requests: These are events that can be scheduled to take place at particular times. For example, an Action Request can be setup to cause a Molecule of a particular type to be added to the Reactor
· Input Processor: This enables a simulation scenario to be defined in a file and loaded to SimSoup
· Improved user interface based fully on GTK.



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