Hierarchical, modular discrete-event modelling in an object-oriented environment

Abstract

Hierarchical, modular specification of discrete-event models of fers a basis for reusable model bases and hence for enhanced simulation of truly varied design alternatives. We describe an envi ronment which realizes the DEVS formalism developed in Zeigler (1984) for hierarchical, modular models. It is implemented in PC-Scheme, a powerful Lisp dialect for microcomputers contain ing an object-oriented programming subsystem. Since both the implementation and the underlying language are accessible to the user, the result is a capable medium for combining simula tion modelling and artificial intelligence techniques. The envi ronment is developed in an object-oriented manner which lends itself to model base organization using the entity structure knowl edge representation. It also serves as a medium for developing hierarchical distributed simulation models and architectures.