NIMBLE: A language for algorithms for graphical models embedded in R

<p>NIMBLE is a system for building and sharing analysis methods for statistical models, especially for hierarchical models and computationally-intensive methods. NIMBLE is built in R but compiles your models and algorithms using C++ for speed. It includes three components:</p> <ol><li>A system for using models written in the BUGS model language as programmable objects in R.</li><li>An initial library of algorithms for models written in BUGS, including basic MCMC, which can be used directly or can be customized from R before being compiled and run.</li><li>A language embedded in R for programming algorithms for models, both of which are compiled through C++ code and loaded into R.</li></ol> <p>NIMBLE can also be used without BUGS models as a way to compile simple R-like code into C++, which is then compiled and loaded into R with an interface function or object.