Simulation language - Definition

A computer simulation language describes the operation of a simulation on a computer. There are two major types of simulation: continuous and discrete-event though more modern languages can handle combinations. Most languages also have a graphical interface and at least simple statistical gathering capability for the analysis of the results. An important part of discrete-event languages is the ability to generate pseudo-random numbers and variates from different probability distributions. Examples are:

• Continuous simulation languages, viewing the model essentially as a set of differential equations.
  • Dynamo
  • SLAM

• Discrete-event simulation languages, viewing the model as a sequence of random events each causing a change in state.
  • GASP
  • GPSS
  • SIMSCRIPT II.5, a well established commercial compiler
  • Simula
  • SimPy, an open-source package based on Python

• Others, classification unknown.
  • Z simulation language
  • SPICE