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RCS

Name

Rochestor Connectionist Simulator (RCS), Version 4.2

Source

N.H.Goddard / K.J.Lynne / T.Mintz / L.Bukys The University of Rochestor Computer Science Department

Price

public domain (Free Software Foundation General Public License)

Target usage

education, experimentation, research; beginners, advanced, experts

Model

Network Architecture

The user has to build up his network in C and link it to the simulator. This must be done on the very low level of single units and links, but it is possible to define more comfortable C-routines. Units may have ``Sites'', i.e. different locations with different properties where synapses (``Links'') can contact. The user must specify Unit-,Site- and Link-evaluation- functions, which he can choose from a couple of standard library functions (maximum, wheigted sum, etc.) or define by himself. It is possible to construct a network directly by using shell commands, but this seems to be tedious work if more than a few neurons are neccessary. (Shell commands CAN be used to MODIFY a network!) Units may be grooped (but not hierarchically). Powerful Set- manipulation functions are supported therefore. References to single units are possible by indexing as well as to groups. Modifyable Backprop-Package. Propagation delays possible.

Paradigms

Limitations

network type very general (you have to design your own topology). maximum network size some thousand units (depending on grade of connection)

Implementation

Display

topology of the network values of unit / link parameters, current status

User Interface

shell, GUI (adding of new commands via C-code possible) shell scripts

Execution

interactive, scripts, logging of commands, save / restore network and state

Data Format

No data format defined. The user has to write input / output routines to communicate with other programs. User data structures can be saved and reloaded (complete information to reconstruct network and state).

Evaluation

table, graphics another program cann call RCS as subroutine.

Performance

System Requirements

Hardware

Sun3 Sun4 (probably Sun2), Vax (BSD4.3), DEC 3100

Operating System

UNIX

Display

X-Windows, Suntools (a Version without GUI may be compiled)

Language

C

Installation and Documentation

Installation

makefile

Sources available

Kernel : no (welldefined user interface); GUI : yes

Implementation language

Documentation

on-line help, manuals, examples

Support

mailing list

User Groups