In socio-environmental sciences, models are frequently used as tools to represent, understand, project and predict the behaviour of these complex systems. Along the modelling chain, Good Modelling Practices have been evolving that ensure -- amongst others -- that models are transparent and replicable. Whenever such models are represented in software, good modelling meets Good software Practices, such as a tractable development workflow, good code, collaborative development and governance, continuous integration and deployment, and Good Scientific Practices, such as attribution of copyrights and acknowledgement of intellectual property, publication of a software paper and archiving. Too often in existing socio-environmental model software, these practices have been regarded as an add-on to be considered at a later stage only; in fact, many modellers have shied away from publishing their model as open source out of fear that having to add good practices is too demanding. We here argue for making a habit of following a list of simple and not so simple practices early on in the implementation of the model life cycle. We contextualise cherry-picked and hands-on practices for supporting Good Modelling Practices, and we demonstrate their application in the example context of the Viable North Sea fisheries socio-ecological systems model.
翻译:在社会环境科学中,模型常被用作表征、理解、预测和预报这些复杂系统行为的工具。沿着建模链条,良好建模实践不断发展,确保模型(除其他外)具有透明性和可复现性。当此类模型以软件形式实现时,良好建模实践需与良好软件实践相结合,包括可追溯的开发工作流、优质代码、协作开发与治理、持续集成与部署,同时还需遵循良好科学实践,如版权归属与知识产权确认、软件论文发表及存档。在现有的社会环境模型软件中,这些实践常被视为后期才需考虑的附加项;事实上,许多建模者因担心实施良好实践要求过高而回避将模型开源发布。本文主张在模型生命周期的早期阶段,就应养成遵循一系列简单及复杂实践的习惯。我们通过精选的实践案例,为支持良好建模实践提供具体操作方法,并以北海渔业社会生态系统可行性模型为例展示其应用。