We have explored in detail how to prepare and implement dynamic networks that are topology-based. Now it's time to learn more about implementing attribute-based dynamic networks. We'll begin with a brief review of the fundamental differences between the two, and why we would go to the extra effort of creating dynamic attributes.

As you can recall, in our earlier discussion on topologies we were primarily focused on the changes taking place across and within a network. This included viewing network growth, emerging patterns, changes to the network structure, and perhaps, eventual dissolution of the network. At the risk of oversimplifying, our goal was to understand the collective network, rather than focusing on changes to its individual members.

In contrast, the dynamic attribute approach is heavily oriented toward seeing changes within individual nodes and their relationships to others in the network. To be sure, we can also see some more wholesale changes to the entire...