WinBUGS

The BUGS (Bayesian inference Using Gibbs Sampling) project is concerned with flexible software for the Bayesian analysis of complex statistical models using Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods.

WinBugs is partially a part of BUGS project which aims in making practical MCMC methods available to applied statisticians. This tool can use either a standard point and click windows interface which can be used for controlling the analysis or either construct the model using a graphical interface called DoodleBUGS.

Normally WinBUGS is a stand-alone program, although it can be called from other software. In the past users were frequently required to register with WinBUGS so as to obtain unrestricted access so as to necessarily to give the intended use of the program. In the newest version of WinBUGS 1.4. there is; GeoBUGS 1.2PKBUG, Suites of S-plus/R functions for convergence diagnostics, suitable for use with any version of BUGS,

WinBUGS can be remotely called from a variety of packages (although note that one can now run BUGS from within R using BRugs), A website exclusively for development and distribution of extensions to WinBUGS – see the WinBUGS development site and Dave Lunn’s ISBA Bulletin article for more details.