The SIMSCRIPT programming system is especially designed to facilitate the writing of simulation programs. Digital simulations generally consist of a numerical description of “status,” which is modified at various points in simulated time called “events.” SIMSCRIPT simulations consist primarily of a collection of “event routines” written by the user describing how different kinds of events in a particular simulated world affect current status and cause future events. Status is described in terms of various “entities,” “attributes,” and “sets” as specified by the user.