Introduction To The Python SFC Models Package

The sfc_models models Python package is designed to allow users to be able to build stock-flow consistent (SFC) economic models in a streamlined fashion. The approach is distinctive because it relies on algorithms to generate the model equations; the user only needs to set up the high level description of the sectors of the economy using existing building blocks. The advantage is that this makes it easy to experiment with different configurations, while still having a model that respects accounting conventions.

Installing the SFC Models Python Package

sfc_models package at https://pypi.python.org/pypi/sfc_models

The Stock-Flow Consistent modelling package I have developed is now available in the Python Package Index (PyPi) as "sfc_models". It is now straightforward to install (you can use pip install sfc_models). I discuss installation options below.

Source Control, Git and GitHub

I am distributing my code via the web site GitHub. Although you could just download the latest version (or particular version) as a zip file, the best method is to download it using the Git source control system (open source -- free!). This makes it much easier to incorporate additions to my libraries, which will be growing rapidly.

This article explains some of the high-level concepts behind using GitHub and source control.

Hello World!

This is a new site where I can share the technical details of code that I will be releasing as open source projects. I have already published books on economic analysis, and I will eventually be developing models and simple fixed income pricers that I will releasing. I may also discuss some programming diversions.

Planned projects include:

• Simple fixed income pricing, for explaining fixed income markets to non-specialists  https://github.com/brianr747/SimplePricers
• Python stock-flow consistent economic models.
• R programs used to generate figures and do statistical analysis.

And for something completely different,

• A 4X turn-based strategy game implemented in Python and PyGame. (Simple4Xpygame on GitHub.)