Simulation Software
• Ref. Chapter-3
Simulation Modeling and Analysis
Averill M. Law and W. David Kelton
Features of a simulation model
• Generating random numbers
• Generating random variables from a specified probability
distribution
• Advancing simulated time
• Determine the next event from the event list
• Adding records to and deleting from, a list
• Collecting and analyzing data
• Reporting the results
• Detecting error conditions
Simulation Language and General Purpose Language
Advantages of Using Simulation Language
• Example: SIMAN, SIMSCRIPT, SLAM etc.
• Simulation language automatically provide most of the features
needed in programming a simulation model resulting in a
significant decrease in programming time.
• They provide a natural framework for simulation modeling.
• Simulation models are generally easier to change when written in
a simulation language.
• Most simulation language provide dynamic storage allocation
during execution.
• They provide better error detection because many potential
types of errors have been identified and are checked
automatically.
Simulation Language and General Purpose Language
Advantages of Using General Purpose Language
• Example: FORTRAN, BASIC and C etc.
• Most modeler already know a general-purpose language, but this
is often not the case with a simulation language.
• This languages is available in most of computers but a particular
simulation language may not be accessible on the computer.
• A efficiently written FORTRAN and C program may require less
execution time than the corresponding program written in a
simulation language.
• General purpose language may allow greater programming
flexibility than certain simulation languages.
• Software cost may be lower (but not necessarily project cost).
Classification of Simulation Software
Simulation Languages and Simulators
• A simulation language is a computer packages that is general in nature but
may have special features for certain type of applications. For example
SIMAN and SLAM II have manufacturing modules for conveyors and
automated guided vehicles.
• It needs programming expertise and long coding and debugging time.
• A simulator is a computer package that allows one to simulate a system
contained in a specific class of systems with little or no programming.
• Menu and graphs are used to simulate.
• Model development time is considerably less than that for a simulation
language.
• Occasional user of simulation prefer simulator.
• They are limited to modeling only those system configuration allowed by
their standard features.
Classification of Simulation Software
Modeling Approach
Event Scheduling Approach: A system is modeled by
identifying its characteristic events and then writing
a set of event routines that give a detailed
description of the state changes taking place at the
time of each event.
Process Approach: A process is time ordered
sequence of interrelated events separated by
passage of time, which describes the entire
experience of an entity as it flows through a system.
Common Modeling Elements
Entity
Attribute
Queue
Resource
Desirable software features
General Features
Modeling Flexibility
Ease of model development
Fast model execution speed
The maximum model size
Compatible for difference computer classes (micro,
workstion/mainframe computer)
Compatible for different operating system.
Options for combined discrete-continuous simulation
Desirable software features
Animation
Advantages
Concurrent mode and play back mode
Make better communication with managers and project
personnel
Increase model credibility
Debugging a simulation computer program
Showing that a simulation model is not valid
Suggesting improved operational procedures or control
logic of a system
Understanding the dynamic behavior of a system
Training operational personnel
Desirable software features
Animation
Disadvantages
It is not a substitute of a statistical analysis of simulation
output.
It increases the model development time.
Simulation packages with an animation capability are often
more expensive.
An nice animation is not guarantee of a valid model.
Desirable software features
Statistical capabilities
It should contain a wide variety of standard distributions.
It should be able to use distributions based on observed
system data.
It should contain multiple-stream random number generator
It should contain a single command to make independent
replication of the model automatically with each replication
using different random numbers.