Compare and contrast any two general purpose simulation languages
Answers
Manuel Prado-Velasco
Universidad de Sevilla
Abstract
A computer simulation model is an abstract entity that describes the dynamics behavior of a target system. It can be designed according to different modeling methodologies and implemented in a computer by means of a programming language. Many specific programming languages have been developed to facilitate this implementation. These are formally designated as modeling languages. The execution of a computer model is referred to as the simulation or experimental phase. Some modern software simulation environments provide extensions to modeling languages that simplify common tasks such as parameter identification, sensitivity analysis, validation, and even the connection to external data sources and other software programs. Accordingly, specific languages used to describe, implement, and even design the subsequent experiments are called modeling and simulation languages or, simply, simulation languages. We use both modeling language and simulation language as synonymous terms throughout the text despite the fact that they are not formally the same.