James Tam

Computer Simulations

Important concepts

What is a computer simulation?

What is involved in the process of creating a simulation?

Example simulations

A portion of these notes were based on the book "Computer Simulation" by Watson and Blackstone

James Tam

What Is Simulation?

Recreating behaviour by an analogous model or situation to gain information more conveniently or to train personnel.

James Tam

What Is A Computer Simulation?

A computer model of the real world

Consists of three steps1. Design2. Execution3. Analysis

ProcessingInputs Outputs

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Types Of Simulation Models

All models

Physical Symbolic

Iconic Analog Verbal Mathematical

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Why Simulate?

Complex systems

Dangerous experiments

Controlled conditions

Cost savings

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Example Simulations

Air Canada Treasury

NASA Simulations

Simulations on the web

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Air Canada Treasury

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NASA Simulations: Design

Photo from http://ncam.msfc.nasa.gov

Photo from http://encounter.arc.nasa.gov

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NASA Simulations: Training on VMS

Images from http://www.simlabs.arc.nasa.gov/vs.

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NASA Simulations: Space Missions

Photos from http://www.nasaexplores.com

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A Simulation On The Web: Near-Beer

http://broadcast.forio.com/sims/nearbeer/

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A Simulation On The Web: Astronomy

http://instruct1.cit.cornell.edu/courses/astro101/java/simulations.htm

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Summary

What is required to create a computer simulation?• Design, Execution, Analysis

Type of simulations• Physical – iconic or analog• Symbolic – verbal or mathematical

Why create simulations?• Complexity, danger, control, cost savings