The model layer defines the internal structure of a framework: its identity, its shape, its regimes, its operators, and its validation envelope.
A model begins with its identity: the minimal description of what the model is, what it tracks, and what it excludes. Identity is not a narrative; it is a structural declaration.
Identity anchors the rest of the framework. All later sections must remain consistent with this declaration.
Shape describes the structural form of the model: its components, their relationships, and the geometry of the system. Shape is not behavior; it is the static arrangement of parts.
Shape is the blueprint. It defines what the model can express before any dynamics or regimes are applied.
Regimes define how the model behaves under different conditions. A single model may have multiple regimes, each representing a coherent mode of operation.
Regimes allow a model to express multiple coherent behaviors without redefining its shape.
Operators are the actions, transformations, or evaluations that can be applied to the model. They define how the model is used, manipulated, or interpreted.
Operators are the functional layer. They turn structure into capability.
Validation ensures the model is coherent, consistent, and aligned with its declared identity. Validation is not testing; it is structural verification.
A model is valid when it behaves as declared, across all regimes and operators.