Improving Information for Social Policy Decisions -- The Uses of Microsimulation Modeling Volume II, Technical Papers (1991) / Chapter Skim
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Pages 205-213
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Several other examples of how current software engineering can assist in building the next generation of microanalytic simulation modeling systems are discussed below. Model Specification Model specification is at the heart of using microanalytic simulation models.
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Current microanalytic simulation models use a subroutine, or line-oriented 60TRIM2, for example, contains significant details of the tax and transfer systems for each of the 50 states from which moderately reliable estimates of the effect of tax and transfer payments can be derived for many smaller areas of the United States. wit is considered a virtue to describe a computer program as generalized, and most programs attempt to circumscribe a domain of applicability that gives credence to such a claim.
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Recently developed CASE techniques should be able to provide substantial assistance in the near future.63 For example, consider the possibility of building a microanalytic simulation model graphically, using a flow chart paradigm for all levels except the bottom layer for actual code and control information. Further, suppose that the purpose of the simulation model is to ascertain the effect of a new minimum standard deduction in the U.S.
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208 PAUL CO7TON AND GEORGE SAD OWSKY Through dialogue with user, obtain complete specification for simulation experiment, including micropopulation file identification. module parameters , I Perform all initialization for tax law l comparisons with no forward projection HI Read data for next | , taxpaying unit n Perform tax calculations for current and nIternative law Is this the last taxpaying unit?
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this simulation 1986 tax law 1969 tax revision State welfare laws 1989 food stamps New York revised proposal Minimum standard 1990 proposed AFDC deduction Rostenkowski tax Pechman model tax alternative i, fiat Tax unit type ,~ jib Poverty classification ma AFDC category fiOa~ Sales tax imputation FIGURE 3 Hypothetical user window for defining microanalytic models and executing .
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210 FIGURE 4 Details of tax calculation. PAUL COTTON AND GEORGE SAD OWSKY | Compute adjusted gross income, | I including adjustments l .
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FUTURE COMPZJTING ENVIRONMENTS Variables Regular exemptions Age exemptions Blind exemptions Standard deduction Itemized deduction Deduct Ex Parameters Base amount Incremental amount Blind included Age included ; input ; input ; input ; input ; input ; output ; local no default no default default false default true If itemizer = false then deductions := standard deduction else deductions := itemized deduction endif; ex := regular exemptions; if blind included = true then ex := If age included = true ex + blind exemptions; then ex := ex + age exemptions; deduct := base amount + ex* incremental amount; return end FIGURE 5 Computation of minimum standard deduction.
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The di scussion here does not depend in any way on this choice and could be supported by reliance on any of the other cc~nmon graphical user interfaces as well as use of an artificial hybrid between them. 70Music Works was developed by Macranind, Inc., and is distributed by Hayden Software, Lowell, Mass.
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75Forms are an obvious type of object to include in any object-oriented system for defining microanalytic simulation models. Tax and transfer payment programs, as well as others such as health care financing activities, are in the real world permeated by forms to be completed to determine benefits and liabilities.
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