Mutation Operators for Agent-Based Models

Abstract

This short paper argues that agent-based models are an independent class of software application with their own unique properties, with the consequential need for the definition of suitable, tailored mutation operators. Testing agent-based models can be very challenging, and no established testing technique has yet been introduced for such systems. This paper discusses the application of mutation testing techniques, and mutation operators are proposed that can imitate potential programmer errors and result in faulty simulation runs of a model.