As Simple As Possible, but No Simpler: A Gentle Introduction to Simulation Modeling

We start with basic terminology and concepts of modeling, and decompose the art of modeling as a process. This overview of the process helps clarify when we should or should not use simulation models. We discuss some common missteps made by many inexperienced modelers, and propose a concrete approach for avoiding those mistakes. After a quick review of event graphs, which are a very straightforward notation for discrete event systems, we illustrate how an event graph can be translated quite directly to a computer program with the aid of a surprisingly simple library. The resulting programs are easy to implement and computationally are extremely efficient. The first half of the paper focuses principles of modeling, and should be of general interest. The second half will be of interest to students, teachers, and readers who wish to know how simulation models work and how to implement them from the ground up.