This document describes how to use the "Multi-Run" capabilities in Repast. This includes the Multi-Run button on the Repast toolbar, and the Parameter Wizard.
Overview
Repast has previously included support for performing batch simulation
runs. This is useful when you want to run a simulation without the
extra burden of graphical displays or when you have a large set of
parameters you wish to run your model against (More information on
this is available in How to Use Parameters and
Parameter files). New in Repast 3 is the capability to build
parameter files through a graphical wizard and the ability to execute
these batch runs from the Repast toolbar.
The Parameter Wizard
The Parameter wizard automatically searches a model for the parameters
available. It will load the parameters from the model's
getInitParam(). Once they are loaded you can choose how the parameter
will be fed through into the model. You have the choice of the
parameter being a single constant value, an incremented value
(starting at some value, incrementing by another value, and continuing
until it has hit a final value), or a list of values.
You can get to the Parameter wizard in two ways, one by choosing a
model through the Load Model dialog (available through the Open button
on the toolbar 
); the other through the
Multi-Run button on the toolbar 
.
The Multi-Run Button
The Multi-Run button is used to start a set of batch runs on a model
through the Repast toolbar. When you have a model loaded you can
click on the Multi-Run button and you will be prompted to choose a
parameter file.
If you do not have a previously generated parameter file, by choosing cancel you will be notified that you must choose a parameter file and you then will be returned to the now expanded Repast toolbar.
Now by clicking on the combo box on the toolbar that currently says "<Browse...>" you can either choose to again browse for a parameter file or you can choose "<Create...>" which will take you to the parameter wizard.
Once you have selected (or created) a parameter file, you then can execute the model on it by clicking the Multi-Run button.
A Multi-Run
Once you have your parameter file selected, you can then click on the
Multi-Run button. This will start the model in batch mode. The
"Tick Count" label will update according to the current tick
of the model and the Run count label will update according to which
run the model is on (a run is started every time the model stops).
Multi-Run Notes
For a run to end the model must in some way end. This can happen
through a call to super.stop() from inside a SimModel or by calling
stopSim() on the current controller. Also, the model still must handle
being in batch mode by itself. This means, if you do not wish for
displays and graphs and other GUI elements of your model to display,
you must disable them yourself. A simple way to do this is to have a
DisplayGUI parameter in your model and whenever that parameter is set
to something like 0 do not show the displays, otherwise do.