Design considerations for a user oriented discrete-event simulation language

Abstract

Discrete event simulation languages can be described in terms of simulation perspective and language structure. A useful language should allow an emphasis to be placed on transactions, queues, and item flow. The language structure should be self-documenting, readable, and descriptive rather than algorithmic in philosophy. SIMFO, a newly designed language, provides the necessary definition of a system using a COBOL-like structure, and complying to the above requirements. A system can be defined in terms of the items, facilities, servers, queues, and item flow. Branching involves only an IF - - - THEN construction. Aside from summary information, all analyses are performed off-line.