On system, several perspectives, many models

ABSTRACT

This paper is a teaching piece. It is the latest in a series of papers by the author on the general subjects of modeling and problem solving. (See (Henriksen 1981), (Henriksen 1986), and (Henriksen 1987).) For the third year in a row, Dr. Alan Pritsker is also presenting a paper in a very similar vein. (See (Pritsker 1986), (Pritsker 1987) and (Pritsker 1988).) Section 1 presents a classic modeling problem first considered around the turn of the century (Lanchester 1916), long before the advent of digital computers. The system considered is a simplified battle between two opposing infantry forces. In subsequent sections, the battle is viewed from both a discrete-event and a continuous perspective. For each perspective, a variety of models is presented, and the comparative strengths and weaknesses of the various models are compared. For the student of modeling, the variety of models hammers home the point that for most modeling problems, one should consider several alternative perspectives before building a model.

REFERENCES

• 1: A. Alan B. Pritsker, Model evolution: a rotary index table case history, Proceedings of the 18th conference on Winter simulation, p.703-707, December 08-10, 1986, Washington, D.C., United States [doi>10.1145/318242.318512]
• 2: A. Alan B. Pritsker, Model evolution II: an FMS design problem, Proceedings of the 19th conference on Winter simulation, p.567-574, December 14-16, 1987, Atlanta, Georgia, United States [doi>10.1145/318371.318666]
• 3: A. Alan B. Pritsker, Modeling viewpoints for assessing reliability, Proceedings of the 20th conference on Winter simulation, p.344-351, December 12-14, 1988, San Diego, California, United States [doi>10.1145/318123.318212]
• 4: James O. Henriksen, GPSS - finding the appropriate world-view, Proceedings of the 13th conference on Winter simulation, p.505-516, December 09-11, 1981, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
• 5: James O. Henriksen, You can't beat the clock: studies in problem solving, Proceedings of the 18th conference on Winter simulation, p.713-726, December 08-10, 1986, Washington, D.C., United States [doi>10.1145/318242.318514]
• 6: James O. Henriksen, Alternatives for modeling of preemptive scheduling, Proceedings of the 19th conference on Winter simulation, p.575-581, December 14-16, 1987, Atlanta, Georgia, United States [doi>10.1145/318371.318667]
• 7: l~anchester, Frederick William (1916) Mathematics in Warfare Reprinted in: The World of Mathematics (James R, Newman, e.~.). Simon & Schuster, New York, New York.

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  A. General Literature

Additional Classification:
  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.6 SIMULATION AND MODELING
      I.6.8 Types of Simulation
          Subjects: Discrete event

General Terms:
Design, Measurement, Performance, Theory