CHAPTER X - DISCRETE EVENT SIMULATION PROGRAMMING

Abstract

This chapter reviews discrete event simulation models. Discrete event simulation models are used to study performance characteristics of simple waiting line systems and of more complex queuing systems. All discrete event simulation models describe the way by which customers or entities flow through a system over time. A basic premise that applies to such models is that all changes in the state of a system are instantaneous changes at specific points in time. Such changes are discrete as opposed to continuous, and the occasion of such a change can be termed as an event, thereby, explaining the term discrete event simulation. The two main advantages of adopting a discrete event philosophy when a complex system is to be modeled, studied, and analyzed are (1) that all discrete event models can be synthesized from a set of basic building blocks or components and (2) that computer languages are available to allow the analyst to put together simulation models based on these building blocks. Several different special purpose computer simulation languages such as GPSS or SIMSCRIPT are available. Such languages are particularly useful to describe certain classes of simulation problems. However, they lack the versatility of general purpose languages such as FORTRAN.