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Hi Michael,

Michael Hucka wrote:
> Right, and as you pointed out in your other message, this
> name issue has been a perennial topic and every couple of
> years the same question is asked all over again :-(.

Well yes sorry, *but*: now people start touching extended use of SBML,
where not all model-variables can be put into the semantic boxes
of 'species', 'compartment', 'rate'. And also I present and
discuss model representation in SBML and this
'Why is it called parameter, if you use it as a state?'
appears to be a FAQ.

> The fundamental reason it's called "parameter" in SBML is
> that no one has offered an alternative name "X" that is
> applicable to all of these roles and doesn't conflict with
> someone's preconception of what an "X" is.

What was the conflict of the name 'variable' as suggested by Herbert
(and me)?
I searched the forum and the wiki, but couldn't find anything.
I remember very vaguely that you had some argument, which I can't
remember ...

Simplified Ontology: a Variable, flagged constant=true has the meaning
of parameter.
But parameter constant=false usually doesn't mean a state-variable but
rather an input.

CU
Martin

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