  We describe AMUSE, the Astrophysical Multipurpose Software Environment, a
programming framework designed to manage multi-scale, multi-physics simulations
in a hierarchical, extensible, and internally consistent way. Constructed as a
collection of individual modules, AMUSE allows computational tools for
different physical domains to be easily combined into a single task. It
facilitates the coupling of modules written in different languages by providing
inter-language tools and a standard programming interface that represents a
balance between generality and computational efficiency. The framework
currently incorporates the domains of stellar dynamics, stellar evolution, gas
dynamics, and radiative transfer. We present some applications of the framework
and outline plans for future development of the package.
