Using Domain Specific Language for modeling and simulation: ScalaTion as a case study

Abstract

Progress in programming paradigms and languages has over time influenced the way that simulation programs are written. Modern object-oriented, functional programming languages are expressive enough to define embedded Domain Specific Languages (DSLs). The Scala programming language is used to implement ScalaTion that supports several popular simulation modeling paradigms. As a case study, ScalaTion is used to consider how language features of object-oriented, functional programming languages and Scala in particular can be used to write simulation programs that are clear, concise and intuitive to simulation modelers. The dichotomy between “model specification” and “simulation program” is also considered both historically and in light of the potential narrowing of the gap afforded by embedded DSLs.