The entity - connection approach to modelling and simulation

To cope with the huge complexity of many simulation programs, a series of description, implementation and documentation tools have been invented to support the whole software development process. The tools range from simulation model specification and documenta tion languages, through program generators, to knowledge-based advanced simulation environ ments or model management systems. Most of these tools transform meta-information about the model into a code in an existing simulation language. Little attention is, however, paid to the question which concepts of a computer simula tion language are appropriate to support meta- programming (i.e. module combination, alteration, replication etc.). In this paper a modular concept for a discrete event simulation language is presented. This language contains abstraction mechanisms, namely the entity and the connection module, which are at the same time data and control abstractions. To each such module there corresponds a graphically displayable icon. The graphic...