Simulation software is computer software that represents real-world situations for study, entertainment, and modeling. It can be classified by application area, functionality, and general capabilities. Examples include APES, StarLogo, and SimCity.
A simulation is a representation of the real world on a computer. Software is programs and routines designed to run on computers. Simulation software is the name given to computer software that represents real-world situations and experiences in a computer environment for study, entertainment, projections, efficiency enhancement, modeling of possible alternatives before a strategic choice and other reasons.
One way to classify the different types of simulation software is the application area of simulation. In academia, simulation software is used in application areas such as agriculture, business, communications, defense, health, manufacturing, oil terminals, utilities, traffic, and waste treatment. In industrial environments, application areas include business processes, communications, compiler networks, customer service, distribution, manufacturing, packing rooms, repair, statistical sampling in surveys, and inventory control. Simulations made for entertainment would form another category in this hierarchy.
APES (Agricultural Production and Externalities Simulator) is an example of an application used to determine the impact of meteorological and management techniques on agricultural production. StarLogo is modeling software used to analyze the functioning of decentralized systems and can be used, for example, to analyze traffic jams. SimCity® by Electronic Arts® is a product line of several simulation games. There are also electronic hardware simulations, mechanical and chemical system simulations,
A second way to classify the different types of simulation software is the functionality of the software. For example, agent simulation can include people in environments and can be used to simulate the behaviors and interactions of large numbers of people in real-world settings, such as airports or shopping malls. Alternatively, it can be used in entertainment when the user moves an avatar around an environment. Network simulation creates a model of network behavior for testing purposes. E-learning simulation can duplicate an environment so that the user can learn to operate equipment or work in a hazardous environment with minimal consequences in the event of a failure, or simply hone their skills.
A third way to classify simulation software is by its general capabilities. On the larger scale, some simulation software can model a discrete event, while others can model continuous time or dynamical systems. There are also hybrid simulators that can model both continuous-time and discrete-time events.
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