Partridge D, Lopez P D, Johnston V S
J Theor Biol. 1984 Jun 21;108(4):539-64. doi: 10.1016/s0022-5193(84)80079-x.
Complex theories in biology may be developed, refined, and tested by the use of computer programmed simulations. The computer is recognized as a powerful tool for theory development; it is, in fact, the only means of thoroughly testing and examining a large and intricate theory. A program as a text is a statement of a theory and when run on the computer it is model of that theory. As the program's behavior is then the major argument for the credibility of a large and complex theory, the program itself is the only irrefutable statement of the theory. Bur programs written in the currently available programming languages tend to be incomprehensible. We argue that the program should be the definitive statement of the theory. In addition, the program plus a series of abstractions is a vehicle for effective communication of complex theories in biology. Several techniques of computer science are borrowed, for the purpose of developing a methodology for abstraction and a language for representing abstractions. The arguments are fully illustrated with a recently published biological theory.
生物学中的复杂理论可以通过使用计算机程序模拟来发展、完善和检验。计算机被公认为是理论发展的强大工具；事实上，它是全面检验和审视一个庞大而复杂理论的唯一手段。程序作为文本是理论的一种表述，当在计算机上运行时，它就是该理论的模型。由于程序的行为随后成为一个庞大而复杂理论可信度的主要依据，程序本身就是该理论唯一无可辩驳的表述。然而，用当前可用编程语言编写的程序往往难以理解。我们认为程序应该是理论的权威性表述。此外，程序加上一系列抽象是生物学中复杂理论有效交流的一种媒介。为了开发一种抽象方法和一种表示抽象的语言，借鉴了计算机科学的几种技术。文中用最近发表的一个生物学理论对这些观点进行了充分说明。
