Computer simulator
Encyclopedia
In computer science
, a simulator is a software program to model a real-life situation on a computer so that it can be studied to see how the system behaves. By changing variables, performance prediction
s may be made about the behaviour of the system. A computer simulator can be either an Instruction Set Simulator
or a full system simulator
Computer simulation has become a useful part of modeling many natural systems in physics
, chemistry
and biology
, and human systems in economics
and social science (the computational sociology
) as well as in engineering
to gain insight into the operation of those systems. A good example of the usefulness of using computers to simulate can be found in the field of network traffic simulation
. In such simulations the model behaviour will change each simulation according to the set of initial parameters assumed for the environment.
Computer simulations are often considered to be human out of the loop simulations.
Traditionally, the formal modeling of systems has been via a mathematical model
, which attempts to find analytical solutions to problems which enables the prediction of the behaviour of the system from a set of parameters and initial conditions. Computer simulation is often used as an adjunct to, or substitution for, modeling systems for which simple closed form analytic solutions are not possible. There are many different types of computer simulation, the common feature they all share is the attempt to generate a sample of representative scenarios for a model in which a complete enumeration of all possible states of the model would be prohibitive or impossible. Several software packages exist for running computer-based simulation modeling that makes the modeling almost effortless and simple (e.g., Monte Carlo
simulation and stochastic modeling like Risk Simulator).
It is increasingly common to hear simulations of many kinds referred to as "synthetic environments". This label has been adopted to broaden the definition of "simulation" to encompass virtually any computer-based representation.
anatomy for home uses
Computer science
Computer science or computing science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and of practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems...
, a simulator is a software program to model a real-life situation on a computer so that it can be studied to see how the system behaves. By changing variables, performance prediction
Performance prediction
In computer science, performance prediction means to estimate the execution time or other performance factors of a program on a given computer...
s may be made about the behaviour of the system. A computer simulator can be either an Instruction Set Simulator
Instruction Set Simulator
An instruction set simulator is a simulation model, usually coded in a high-level programming language, which mimics the behavior of a mainframe or microprocessor by "reading" instructions and maintaining internal variables which represent the processor's registers.Instruction simulation is a...
or a full system simulator
Full system simulation
A full-system simulator is a computer program that simulates computer systems at such a level of detail that complete software stacks from real systems can run on the simulator without any modification. A full system simulator effectively provides virtual hardware that is independent of the nature...
Computer simulation has become a useful part of modeling many natural systems in physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
, chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
and biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
, and human systems in economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
and social science (the computational sociology
Computational sociology
Computational sociology is a branch of sociology that uses computationally intensive methods to analyze and model social phenomena. Using computer simulations, artificial intelligence, complex statistical methods, and new analytic approaches like social network analysis, computational sociology...
) as well as in engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
to gain insight into the operation of those systems. A good example of the usefulness of using computers to simulate can be found in the field of network traffic simulation
Network traffic simulation
Network traffic simulation is a process used in telecommunications engineering to measure the efficiency of a communications network.-Overview:...
. In such simulations the model behaviour will change each simulation according to the set of initial parameters assumed for the environment.
Computer simulations are often considered to be human out of the loop simulations.
Traditionally, the formal modeling of systems has been via a mathematical model
Mathematical model
A mathematical model is a description of a system using mathematical concepts and language. The process of developing a mathematical model is termed mathematical modeling. Mathematical models are used not only in the natural sciences and engineering disciplines A mathematical model is a...
, which attempts to find analytical solutions to problems which enables the prediction of the behaviour of the system from a set of parameters and initial conditions. Computer simulation is often used as an adjunct to, or substitution for, modeling systems for which simple closed form analytic solutions are not possible. There are many different types of computer simulation, the common feature they all share is the attempt to generate a sample of representative scenarios for a model in which a complete enumeration of all possible states of the model would be prohibitive or impossible. Several software packages exist for running computer-based simulation modeling that makes the modeling almost effortless and simple (e.g., Monte Carlo
Monte Carlo method
Monte Carlo methods are a class of computational algorithms that rely on repeated random sampling to compute their results. Monte Carlo methods are often used in computer simulations of physical and mathematical systems...
simulation and stochastic modeling like Risk Simulator).
It is increasingly common to hear simulations of many kinds referred to as "synthetic environments". This label has been adopted to broaden the definition of "simulation" to encompass virtually any computer-based representation.
See also
- Instruction Set SimulatorInstruction Set SimulatorAn instruction set simulator is a simulation model, usually coded in a high-level programming language, which mimics the behavior of a mainframe or microprocessor by "reading" instructions and maintaining internal variables which represent the processor's registers.Instruction simulation is a...
- Full system simulator
- Network SimulatorNetwork simulatorA network simulator is a piece of software or hardware that predicts the behavior of a network, without an actual network being present.-Uses of network simulators:Network simulators serve a variety of needs...
anatomy for home uses