SIESTA, a time domain, general purpose simulation program for the VIRGO experiment

In this paper we present the simulation program that has been developed for the VIRGO gravitational wave detection experiment. Although this program — SIESTA — is still evolving, it has reached a stage where the design requirements have been largely fulfilled. We first remind the needs and the choices which have steered the program design and led to the present structure. The contents of the program is then reviewed, the performances are discussed, and some typical applications are briefly described.