Inside discrete-event simulation software: How it works and why it matters

This paper provides simulation practitioners and consumers with a grounding in how discrete-event simulation software works. Topics include discrete-event systems; entities, resources, control elements and operations; simulation runs; entity states; entity lists; and entity-list management. The implementation of these generic ideas in AutoMod, SLX, and ExtendSim is described. The paper concludes with several examples of "why it matters" for modelers to know how their simulation software works, including discussion of AutoMod, SLX, and ExtendSim, and also SIMAN (Arena), ProModel, and GPSS/H.