Object Oriented (Dynamic) Programming: Closing the “Structural” Estimation Coding Gap

Abstract

This paper discusses how to design, solve and estimate dynamic programming models using the open source package niqlow. Reasons are given for why such a package has not appeared earlier and why the object-oriented approach followed by niqlow seems essential. An example is followed that starts with basic coding then expands the model and applies different solution methods to finally estimate parameters from data. The niqlow approach is used to organize the empirical DP literature differently from traditional surveys which may make it more accessible to new researchers. Features for efficiency and customization are also discussed.