This package provides high-level interface utilities for Just Another Gibbs Sampler (JAGS), either running locally (via the rjags package or separate JAGS instances) or via distributed computing clusters such as those provided by snow (a Simple Network Of Workstations), Xgrid, or other user specified functions.  A JAGS extension module providing the full Pareto family of distributions for use in JAGS models is also provided.  The primary functions facilitate running parallel JAGS models for multiple chains, automated control of convergence and sample length diagnostics, evaluation of the performance of a model against simulated data, and compatibility with the WinBUGS syntax of model files with data and initial values lists.  Running of arbitrary R commands (not involving JAGS) over Xgrid is also supported.

This package provides high-level interface utilities for Just Another Gibbs Sampler (JAGS).  The primary functions facilitate running parallel JAGS models for multiple chains, automated control of convergence and sample length diagnostics, evaluation of the performance of a model against simulated data, and compatibility with the WinBUGS syntax of model files with data and initial values lists.  Model fitting can be done locally (via the rjags package or separate JAGS instances) or via distributed computing clusters such as those provided by snow (a Simple Network Of Workstations), Xgrid, or other user specified functions.  A JAGS extension module implementing additional distributions for JAGS models (including the Pareto family of distributions) is also provided.

parallel, lattice (>= 0.20-10), coda (>= 0.16-1), stats, utils

Interface Utilities, Model Templates, Parallel Computing Methods
and Additional Distributions for MCMC Models in JAGS
c(person("Matthew", "Denwood", role=c("aut","cre"),
email="md@sund.ku.dk"),
person("Martyn", "Plummer", role="cph", comment="Copyright holder of the code in /src/distributions/jags, src/distributions/DPar1.*, configure.ac, and original copyright holder of some modified code where indicated"))
parallel, lattice (>= 0.20-10), coda (>= 0.17-1), stats, utils
User-friendly interface utilities for MCMC models via
Just Another Gibbs Sampler (JAGS), facilitating the use of parallel
(or distributed) processors for multiple chains, automated control
of convergence and sample length diagnostics, and evaluation of the
performance of a model using drop-k validation or against simulated
data. Template model specifications can be generated using a standard
lme4-style formula interface to assist users less familiar with the
BUGS syntax.  A JAGS extension module provides additional distributions
including the Pareto family of distributions, the DuMouchel prior and
the half-Cauchy prior.
Matthew Denwood [aut, cre],
Martyn Plummer [cph] (Copyright holder of the code in
/src/distributions/jags, src/distributions/DPar1.*, configure.ac,
and original copyright holder of some modified code where
indicated)