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Improving Information for Social Policy Decisions -- The Uses of Microsimulation Modeling Volume II, Technical Papers (1991) / Chapter Skim
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Pages 163-167

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From page 163...
... These changes included added complexity in filing unit definitions and the ability to handle state-specific benefit levels. One use of RIM required that the system be able to simulate 13 different grant/tax program reforms in one pass of its data file.
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From page 164...
... These functional requirements were provided for in TRIM by the following design solutions: · Flexible modular structure TRIM consisted of a supervisor that controlled a set of operating characteristics or master routines. Each master routine simulated one tax/transfer program or performed specific data transformations or input-output functions.
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From page 165...
... · Filing units and status definitions These variables were computed on the fly in RIM, which caused problems when two operating characteristics defined a variable differently in the same model run. TRIM was designed to ensure that filing units and status variables were uniquely defined in a model run.
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From page 166...
... After the collapse of the family assistance plan proposal in Congress, ASPE used TRIM to develop a highly complex reform proposal called the income supplement plan. During this time the Urban Institute was responsible for the annual update of benefit parameters, for implementing major programming changes that required extensive testing, and for programming new operating characteristics (e.g., a food stamp module)
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From page 167...
... revisions to software engineering practices, including automation of the procedures used by I RIM master routines to process input and output microfile variables. This processing is handled by the TRIM2 supervisor, and the initialization code of a master routine, which represents over half of the code in a TRIM master routine, is almost completely automated.
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Key Terms

  • operating characteristics
  • master routine
  • food stamp
  • master routines
  • database creation

  • statistically matched
  • model run
  • urban institute
  • run sequence
  • software engineering

  • model runs
  • operating characteristic
  • mainframe computer
  • benefit level
  • filing units

  • technical description
  • income tax
  • trim master
  • transfer program
  • filing unit

  • file format
  • current law
  • multiple times
  • default values
  • congressional budget

  • welfare reform


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