SMSDL(ID:7421/sms002)

Simulation language 

for Model Specification and Documentation Language

Franta and Frankowski 1978
References:
  • Frankowski, Elaine N. and W.R. Franta, "A Process Oriented Simulation Model Specification and Documentation Language," Software?Practice and Experience, 10 :1980, 721-742. view details
  • Hamilton, J. A. review of Frankowski and Franta view details Abstract: The simulation language described is neither a programming language nor a formal specification language. Rather, it is a set of semi-formal rules for describing a simulation model, both to its implementors and to its users. The language draws heavily on ideas from data abstraction research and from the programming language SIMULA. The model is composed of a number of "elements," both active and passive. Each element is described by global and local attributes and operations, and, if active, by a procedure section called a "scenario." Models are "element centered," in that their behavior is completely determined by the actions of the individual elements.
    Of particular interest is the notion of "monitors" which continually check the values of conditional expressions and ensure the truth of "axioms." Also of interest is the ability to easily modify or enhance element descriptions (e.g., queues) contained in libraries.
    Any tool which encourages the description of a model in a way more structured than plain English is useful, and this language could be a step in the right direction. Unfortunately, aside from determining the gross structure of a model and providing control structures for use in scenarios, the language seems deficient in constraining the details of a specification. In particular, the language has no apparent data model, so that the data in a simulation are left to be described by an informal mixture of English and mathematical notation. The paper provides little evidence that the language meets its goals, although future research is planned which bears on that issue.

          in ACM Computing Reviews 22(06) June 1981 view details