articleStatistics in MedicineJul 24, 2009Closed access

The BUGS project: Evolution, critique and future directions

DJDavid J. LunnDJDavid J. SpiegelhalterACAndrew C. ThomasNBNicky Best

MRC Biostatistics Unit · University of St Andrews · +2 more institutions

PubMed
Indexed incrossrefpubmed

Abstract

BUGS is a software package for Bayesian inference using Gibbs sampling. The software has been instrumental in raising awareness of Bayesian modelling among both academic and commercial communities internationally, and has enjoyed considerable success over its 20-year life span. Despite this, the software has a number of shortcomings and a principal aim of this paper is to provide a balanced critical appraisal, in particular highlighting how various ideas have led to unprecedented flexibility while at the same time producing negative side effects. We also present a historical overview of the BUGS project and some future perspectives.

Citation impact

1,889
total citations
FWCI
68.69
Percentile
100%
References
66
Citations per year

Authors

4

Topics & keywords

Topics
Keywords
  • Computer science
  • Flexibility (engineering)
  • Software
  • Principal (computer security)
  • Gibbs sampling
  • Bayesian probability
  • Inference
  • Raising (metalworking)
No related works found for this paper.

Funding