Productivity tools in simulation: SIMSCRIPT 11.5 and SIMGRAPHICS

ABSTRACT

The SIMSCRIPT II. 5 simulation language with its integrated dynamic graphics package, SIMGRAPHICS, substantially reduces the time and effort to produce a simulation when compared to general purpose languages.Its structured English syntax improves readability and reduces some of the need for documentation. This syntax is supported by powerful libraries to relieve the programmer of substantial amounts of work by pushing it onto the computer.SIMGRAPHICS adds graphics to a program to display results dynamically. Graphics in most programs takes thousands of lines of code. SIMGRAPHICS reduces this task to a few lines of code with mouse-and-menu graphics editors.All of this adds up to major improvements in productivity in programming. Rapid prototypes with dynamic graphics can be written in a few days. Code is open to inspection by non-programmers. Results are faster and more reliable.

REFERENCES

• 1: --, SIMGRAHPICS User's Guide and Casebook, CACI, La Jolla, California, 1988.
• 2: --, SIMSCRIPT II.5 Programming Language, CACI, Los Angeles, California, 1987
• 3: Russell, Edward C., Building Simulation Models with SIMSCRIPT II. 5, Los Angeles, California, 1983.
• 4: SKIP BRYAN manages the Simulation and Modeling Department for CACI Products Company. He received a B. S. in Mechanical Engineering from MIT, an M. S. in R & D Management from the University of Southern California and an MBA from the University of Chicago. His current interests include specification and design of large scale simulation models.

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.6 SIMULATION AND MODELING

Additional Classification:
  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.3 COMPUTER GRAPHICS
      I.3.4 Graphics Utilities
          Subjects: Graphics packages
  I.6 SIMULATION AND MODELING
      I.6.1 Simulation Theory
          Subjects: Types of simulation (continuous and discrete)*

General Terms:
Algorithms, Design, Languages, Performance