BOINC Lisp Interfaces

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In order for BOINC to distribute an ACT-R Model it's Lisp environment has to meet the following interface

Contents

[edit] Short Version

The cognitive modeler must do three things.link title

  • Have lisp code that works with Steel Bank Common Lisp
  • Provide "A Lisp Entry Point Function"
  • Output data to *data-file*

[edit] A Lisp Entry Point Function

This is the main method of your lisp code. It will set the ACT-R environment up based on the parameters passed in and start ACT-R. The function name along with parameter ranges are specified during Job Submission.

[edit] Standard Communication Files

The C application gathers information through reading files produced by the Lisp environment

  • *data-files* - This file has a dynamic output name set the names of these files in the job submission system. The cognitive modeler is responsible to output (append) any data to this file that is to be collected. If AMR is used the file containing the DV values must be name AMR and included in the list of data files in the job submission.
  • standard-output-file - This file containing the redirection of text sent to the *standard-output* stream is produced in the working directory of Lisp. It is automatically produced and does not require any interaction from the ACT-R Modeler to produce. The ACT-R BOINC Application produces this file through the Lisp provided in the ACT-R_Work_Unit.
  • percent-complete-file - This file contains a single number representing what percentage the of the work has been complete. It is automatically produced and does not require any interaction from the ACT-R Modeler to produce. The ACT-R BOINC Application produces this file through the Lisp provided in the ACT-R_Work_Unit as it loops through the list of parameters to run.

[edit] BOLD Files

  • bold-output-file1.tmp and bold-output-file2.tmp

These files are a two deep look ahead of BOLD fMRI output data predictions. The lisp inside the work unit ensures that the proper parameters are set in ACT-R to produce these files when both files do not exist. It this turns these parameters off for maximum run-time otherwise. The ACT-R BOINC Graphics Application reads these files at real-time speed (much slower) and deletes them when complete which signals the lisp code set over in the ACT-R_Work_Unit to produce more.

  • bold-output.txt

During Job submission there is an option to "use generic visualizations"; this will include bold-output.txt with the application and use this instead of producing bold output files. This can be useful if BOLD does not work with your model or if the model runs for a long time before calling a reset. The ramification of being in verbose mode for too long may lead to standard-output-file growing in size greater than 100MB (imposed size limit). Generic visualizations ensures the model is never put into verbose mode and therefore never cause standard-output-file to grow too large.

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