SLAM(ID:738/sla001)

Simulation Language for Alternative Modeling 

Simulation Language for Alternative Modeling. Simulation language, descendant of GASP. Implemented as Fortran preprocessor.

simulation language combines process, event and continuous views on a model. The environment supports material handling devices, interactive execution and simulation project support.
Related languages
GASP IV => SLAM   Evolution of
SLAM => SLAM II   Evolution of
References:
  • Wallington, N.A. et al, "SLAM A New Continuous Simulation Language" view details
          in SCS Simulation Council Proc Series: Toward Real-Time Simulation (Languages, Models and Systems), R.E. Crosbie et al eds, Dec 1976 view details
  • Pegden, C. D.; Pritsker, A. A. B. "SLAM: simulation language for alternative modeling" Simulation 33, 5 (Nov. 1979), 145-157 view details
          in SCS Simulation Council Proc Series: Toward Real-Time Simulation (Languages, Models and Systems), R.E. Crosbie et al eds, Dec 1976 view details
  • Pritsker, A. A. B. and C. D. Pegden. "Introduction to Simulation and SLAM" New York: John Wiley and Sons 1979 view details
          in SCS Simulation Council Proc Series: Toward Real-Time Simulation (Languages, Models and Systems), R.E. Crosbie et al eds, Dec 1976 view details
  • Agresti, W. W. review of Pegden and Gately 1980 view details Abstract: SLAM is a very flexible simulation language featuring networks and both continuous and discrete variables. Described in this article is an optimization module, written in ANSI FORTRAN, which can be appended to SLAM. The added module automatically controls the number of simulation runs, the values of decision variables, and the lengths of the runs. The optimization strategy is based on the Hooke-Jeeves pattern search. In the run length determination, variances are estimated by the method of batch means. (The expression for the run-length test-statistic, z, is incorrect, lacking the solidus in the middle.) A good illustration of the module's use, with sample I/O, is included.

    Interfacing an optimization procedure with an existing simulation language can be a formidable task. The module here is simple to add and to use. It appears to have been well designed to operate as a system executive, automating some of the tactical decisions while following a search for the optimal values of decision variables. Of course, by automating these decisions, the user no longer knows beforehand how many runs will be made. As a result the cost of a job can be high. These remarks notwithstanding, use of a module like this can be, in fact, very efficient. It eliminates both the guesswork on appropriate values for the decision variables and also the needlessly long runs. More importantly, it conserves the time of the people conducting the study.

    No information is given regarding the general availability of the optimization module

          in ACM Computing Reviews 21(08) August 1980 view details
  • Pegden, C. Dennis and Gately, Mechael P. "A decision-optimization module for SLAM" pp18-25 view details
          in Simulation 34(1) Jan. 1980 view details
  • Pegden. C. D.; Gately, M. P. "A decision-optimization module for SLAM" Simulation 34, 1 (Jan. 1980). 18-25. view details
          in Simulation 34(1) Jan. 1980 view details
  • Sheppard, S. review of Pritsker and Pegden 1979 view details Abstract: This lengthy textbook presents a new simulation language called SLAM (Simulation Language for Alternative Modeling) along with suitable background material necessary for performing simulation projects. Eight of the fourteen chapters are devoted to describing SLAM, which is an advanced FORTRAN-based language. SLAM facilitates the building of models from a process- interaction, next-event, or activity-scanning perspective. SLAM implementations of network, discrete event, and continuous models are described in separate chapters. Chapters showing how these modeling techniques can be combined in the SLAM environment are also included.

    The remaining chapters provide an introduction to simulation and modeling, along with a review of probability and statistics concepts frequently used in simulation applications. Following the presentation of SLAM is a chapter comparing SLAM with other simulation languages (GPSS, Q-GERT, process-oriented languages, GASP IV, SIMSCRIPT II, and various continuous simulation languages). The final chapter presents a number of actual simulation applications which have been completed using a variety of programming languages.

    The book is easy to read and follow, and quite well organized. Each chapter has a problem set designed to cover the material just presented, and all chapters except those describing SLAM include lengthy reference lists. The level of the book is suitable for seniors or first-year graduate students in a simulation course where SLAM is to be the emphasized language. Simulation practitioners interested in learning and using SLAM will also find the book suitable as a self-teaching source.



          in ACM Computing Reviews 21(11) November 1980 view details
  • Pritsker, A.A.B., "Applications of SLAM," view details
          in IEEE Transactions, March 1982 view details
  • Jean J. O'Reilly , A. Alan B. Pritsker "SLAM II tutorial" view details Abstract: In 1979, the state-of-the-art in simulation languages was extended with the introduction of SLAMTM, the first language that provided three different modeling viewpoints in a single integrated framework.(5) SLAM permits discrete event, continuous, and network modeling perspectives and/or any combination of the three to be implemented in a single model. SLAM represented a significant breakthrough in simulation methods development, as it provided the flexibility to use the most appropriate world view for the system being studied. This improved upon the more traditional situation in which simulation modelers were restricted to the modeling perspective embodied in the language they were using. The success of this new approach was readily apparent.

          in The 15th Winter Simulation Conference 12-14 December 1983 Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel, Arlington, VA view details
  • Seila, Andrew F. "Discrete event simulation in Pascal with SIMTOOLS" view details Abstract: In recent years a great deal of research effort has been devoted to improving simulation software. Products currently available for discrete event simulation include GPSS/H, SIMSCRIPT II.5, SIMULA, SLAM, SIMAN, SIMPAS, PASSIM, and ASSE, to name a few. Some of these products (SIMSCRIPT II.5 and SIMPAS, for example) use process-oriented approaches. All of them assume an entity-attribute-set basis for describing the model to be simulated. SIMSCRIPT II.5 and SIMULA are general-purpose simulation programming languages. Alternatively, GPSS/H, SIMAN, SLAM, Micro NET, INTERACTIVE and ASSE are “packages” (I won't debate whether the terminology “language” is appropriate or not) that were developed primarily for simulating queueing networks, such as might be found in manufacturing or computer systems. SIMPAS is a preprocessor for a Pascal program that converts “simulation” statements into Pascal code for compilation and execution.
          in The 16th Winter Simulation Conference 28-30 November 1984 Sheraton Dallas Hotel, Dallas, TX view details
  • Pritsker Corporation, "SLAM II Quick Reference Manual", Pritsker Corporation, West Lafayette, Indiana view details
          in The 16th Winter Simulation Conference 28-30 November 1984 Sheraton Dallas Hotel, Dallas, TX view details
  • Nance, Richard E. "Simulation programming languages: an abridged history" view details Extract: SLAMs
    The Simulation Language for Alternative Modeling (SLAM), produced by Pritsker and Associates, Inc., sought to provide multiple modeling perspectives and combined modeling capabilities (Pritsker 1979). SLAM is a FORTRAN preprocessor, whereas its predecessors were packages. The major structure of the SLAM design still follows that of GASP; in fact, many of the identical subroutine andl function names in GASP IV are repeated in SLAM.
          in The 27th Winter Simulation Conference 3-6 December 1995 Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arlington, VA view details
  • Wilson, James R. "Simulation World Loses Key Founder, Alan B. Pritsker (1933-2000)" view details pdf
          in Simulation 75(2) August 2000 view details