Simulation Software

Discuss the following periods in simulation history?


a. The period of Search: Simulation was conducted in FORTRAN and other gernal purpose languages. No specific simulation specific routines. Much effort was on expanding searcn for unifying concepts and the development of reusable routines to facilitate simulation(1955-60)

b Advent : It is the period of forerunners of SPL we use today(1961-65)

GPSS developd by Geoffery Gordon at IBM and appeared in 1961. General Purpose Simulation system was developed for quick simulation of communication and computer system. It is a block disgram based representation (similar to process flow diagram) and suited for queuing models.


Phillip J Kiviat developed GASP (General Activity based simulation program). Originally it was based on GPL ALGOL but later based on FORTRAN.

other SPL developed are SIhMULA(extension of ALGOL)

c. The Formative period (from 1966-1970)

Concepts were reviewed adn refined to promote more consistent representation of each language 's world view.

SIMSCRIPT II represents major advancement in SPLs. In its free form english like language.


d. The Expansion period (from 1971-1978)

Improvement in GPSS. Inclusion of interactive debugger. Efforts made to simplify modeling process. Using simula an attempt was made to develop system definition from high level user perspective that could be translated automatically in an executable format.

e. Consolidation and Regeneration

This period from 1979 GASP appeared SLAM II and SIMAN

SLAM II(Simulation language for alternative modeling) produced by Prisker and Associates.

for providing multiple modeling perspectives and combined modeling capabilities. Event scheduling persective and a noetwork world view and continuous component.

f. Integrated Environment

Availability of SPL for personal computers, GUI ,animation and other visulaization tools,input/output analyzers. use of process flow or block diagram and reducing need to remeber syntax. Availability of 2 D /3D scale drawings





SIMAN