Simulation

A simulation is a system that is constructed to work, in some ways, analogously to another system of interest. The constructed system is usually made simpler than the original system so that only the aspects of interest are mirrored. Simulations are commonly used to learn more about the behavior of the original system, when the original system is not available for manipulation. It may not be available because of cost or safety reasons, or it may not be built yet and the purpose of learning about it is to design it better. If the purpose of learning is to train novices, then cost, safety, or convenience are likely to be the reasons to work on a simulated system. The simulation may be a computer simulation (perhaps a realistic one of a nuclear power station’s control room, or a mathematical one such as a spreadsheet for “what-if” analysis of a company’s business); or it may be a small-scale physical model (such as a small-scale bridge, or a pilot chemical plant).


Related Keywords:
Simulation, A simulation is a system that is constructed to work, in some ways, analogously to another system of interest. The constructed system is usually made simpler than the original system so that only the aspects of interest are mirrored. Simulations are commonly used to learn more about the behavior of the original system, when the original system is not available for manipulation. It may not be available because of cost or safety reasons, or it may not be built yet and the purpose of learning about it is to design it better. If the purpose of learning is to train novices, then cost, safety, or convenience are likely to be the reasons to work on a simulated system. The simulation may be a computer simulation (perhaps a realistic one of a nuclear power station’s control room, or a mathematical one such as a spreadsheet for “what-if” analysis of a company’s business); or it may be a small-scale physical model (such as a small-scale bridge, or a pilot chemical plant).,