Interesting. I should try using that. That is mechanical models. I have come across it(using a mechanical device analogy/metaphor for thinking about something)

Interesting. I should try using that. That is mechanical models. I have come across it(using a mechanical device analogy/metaphor for thinking about something) in other fields(http://www.ribbonfarm.com/2010/06/30/the-philosophers-abacus/ http://www.ribbonfarm.com/2010/06/30/the-philosophers-abacus...).But never really used it in code/design consciously so far.