Techreport,
NetLogo Giant Component model
http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/models/GiantComponent, Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, (2005)
Abstract
WHAT IS IT?
In a network, a "component" is a group of nodes that are all connected to each other, directly or indirectly. So if a network has a "giant component", that means almost every node is reachable from almost every other. This model shows how quickly a giant component arises if you grow a random network.
HOW IT WORKS
Initially we have nodes but no connections (edges) between them. At each step, we pick two nodes at random which were not directly connected before and add an edge between them. All possible connections between them have exactly the same probability of occurring.
As the model runs, small chain-like "components" are formed, where the members in each component are either directly or indirectly connected to each other. If an edge is created between nodes from two different components, then those two components merge into one. The component with the most members at any given point in time is the "giant" component and it is colored red. (If there is a tie for largest, we pick a random component to color.)
