Page 276 - DCAP601_SIMULATION_AND_MODELING

Simulation and Modelling

Notes
Example: Complicated numerical calculations are not easy in GPSS.

Simulation Languages

Two options for coding computer simulations:
1. General purpose languages (C, C++, Fortran, Ada, etc.)

2. Simulation languages (SIMSCRIPT, GPSS, COMNET, OPNET, SimPack, etc.)

Advantages of using Simulation Languages

1. Simulation languages routinely provide most (if not all) of the features needed in
programming a simulation model.
2. Simulation languages provide a natural framework for simulation modeling.

3. Simulations are generally easier to change when with in a simulation language.
4. Most simulation languages provide dynamic storage allocation during execution.
5. Most simulation languages provide better error detection.
6. Provide all of the statistical tools you need.

Advantages for General Purpose Languages

1. Most programmers already know a general purpose language.

2. General purpose languages are available on almost every computer.
3. An efficiently written general purpose language may require less execution time than the
corresponding program written in a simulation language.

4. General purpose languages allow greater programming flexibility.
14.1.2 General Purpose Simulation Packages

AweSim

AweSim is a completely new general-purpose simulation system, released in June of 1996.
AweSim takes advantage of the latest in Windows technology to integrate programs and provide
componentware. AweSim includes the Visual SLAM simulation language to build network,
discrete event, and continuous models. Network models require no programming yet allow
user-coded inserts in Visual Basic or C. Discrete event and continuous models can be created
using the object-oriented technology of Visual Basic, C or Visual C++ and can be combined with
network models. This tutorial will demonstrate the process of using AweSim’s componentware
and provide examples of user interfaces that allow integration with other Windows applications
both directly and through the AweSim database.
GPSS/SLX

GPSS/H is a very powerful simulation tool. It has a illustrious 20-year track record, and it has
been used for a vast array of applications. We anticipate that it will be used for many more.
While SLX is not a replacement for GPSS/H, it contains a lot of its spirit. For example, SLX’s
“zero tolerance” policy for errors was derived from a similar policy in GPSS/H. In SLX we tried

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