The Engineering Role of Simulation

Engineers involved in the design and analysis of complex systems can use computer simulation as a systems analysis and synthesis tool. Discrete-event simulation, coupled with dynamic display while the model runs on the computer, provides new opportunities for insight into complex systems. One higher order simulation language GPSS was used as a foundation upon which were added data bases, human interactivity, and display graphics. Through the use of these additions, the user can dynamically interact with the system being simulated. While the simulation is in progress, a series of pictorial representations of the system are presented. These may be stopped, restarted with new data, or continued at the users command. To extend the simulation capability to include continuous system aspects, GPSS was coupled to a high-order continuous simulation language CSMP.