Graphical programming of simulation models in an object-oriented environment

Article Abstract:

Graphical programming, which is used here to mean creation of simulation models graphically, has been used in conjunction with conventional simulation languages via block diagrams or activity networks. Its beneficial effects on model development in simulation have been generally accepted. However, none of these conventional simulation languages has reached a level of graphical programming that would impact the user's programming task substantially. Today, this is possible with the current software and hardware technology. An interactive incremental programming environment supported by a good graphical programming system that helps automatic model development, specification and verification would be greatly appreciated in modeling in general, but especially in simulation of complex real-life systems. Such a visual system could essentially be a conceptual framework for analysis of the problem at hand and become a means of communication among the people who are involved in development and management of systems. It can also be the friendly interface that forms a communication medium between the modeler and the computer for automatic programming. In this research paper, a prototype graphical programming methodology for modeling and automatic interpretation of simulation problems is developed in the object-oriented environment of the Smalltalk-80 language. The modeler uses a high-level graphical representation formalism based on the activity-cycle diagrams to define simulation models in an interactive mode. These activity-cycle diagrams can then be interpreted into the underlying programming language and executed automatically. Thus, the modeler does not have to know the underlying Smalltalk-80 language in order to use our prototype simulation system. The future expansions to this system will include a simulation object editor, a graphical output view system and a richer high-level concept base for modeling purposes. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

Usage, Technology, Modeling, Data modeling software, Visual programming (Computer science), Interactive Systems, Graphics Languages, Prototype, Automatic Programming, Object-Oriented Programming, Visual Programming, Smalltalk-80 (Program development software)

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Graphical description and a program generator for queuing models

Article Abstract:

The Queuing Model Generator (QMG), described in this article, is a module of the environment of the simulation language PASION. It contains a block-diagram editor which permits the user to define the structure of the model, and a program generator which generates the corresponding PASION code. This code is automatically translated to PASCAL. QMG is transparent (i.e. the languages PASION and PASCAL are not visible for 'non-programmer' users). However, if the user knows PASION or PASCAL, then he can work with the resulting code, creating more complex models. An application in flexible manufacturing systems design is described. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

Queuing theory, Flexible manufacturing systems, Code generators, Models, Program Generators

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Process hierarchy and inheritance in PASION

Article Abstract:

Process hierarchy and inheritance make it possible to add new properties to existing objects of simulation models. Thus, the user can construct complex models using a code developed earlier. This feature is discussed and its implementation in the language PASION is pointed out. Examples are given. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

Multitasking (Computing), Simulation Languages, Language Analysis, Program Development Techniques, Object-Oriented Languages, Simulation of Computer Systems, Concurrent Programming

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