During my time in the CPM, I am also in charge of a part of the diffusion process of our program, called SDML. Based on Smalltalk, SDML (Strictly Declarative Modelling Language), today at its version 4.1, is an object oriented language in which you can (VERY basically) implement rules of behaviour for agents, and use computer simulations to analyse the (sometimes) emerging phenomenas.

If you are interested in trying it, you can download the SDML setup file here (current version is 4.1).

This file has been created using the freeware InnoSetup, and the InnoSetup Extensions, a very friendly, powerful and supported install-maker from JR Software.

Because it is based on modules (containing definitions and rules), you can have specific ones loaded depending on the tools you need at a given moment. I think a database of existing modules is a strong need. So if you create a module with tools that don't exist yet, or if you improve already existing ones, please document it carefully, and send it to me so it will become public. I am of course talking mainly about widely used rules (e.g. dealing with probabilities, lists, grids, etc.), and not specific definitions.

A common behaviour (well, I know at least 2 people using that method ! Scott and Me !) is to have your own "toolkit module"inheriting directly from the Standard module, and adding the others to the toolkit. When mine becomes bigger (a couple of rules so far), I will make it available here.