Simulation Model Design and Execution: Building Digital Worlds [Facsimile] [Paperback]

Paul Fishwick (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0130986097 | ISBN-13: 978-0130986092 | Publication Date: January 27, 1995 | Edition: 1

Simulation can be broken down into 3 areas. 1)Model Design 2)Model Execution and 3)Execution Analysis. Most Simulation books spend considerable time on #3 but very little on #1 and #2.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Fishwick offers the first text to cover all three areas of simulation--Model Design, Model Execution, and Execution Analysis--in one source. He focuses on model design (using an extension of object- oriented design called multimodeling) and algorithms for serial and parallel model execution. Also covered is the SimPack simulation toolkit, with a full chapter devoted to using SimPack programs.

From the Back Cover

Simulation can be broken down into 3 areas. 1)Model Design 2)Model Execution and 3)Execution Analysis. Most Simulation books spend considerable time on #3 but very little on #1 and #2.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 1 edition (January 27, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0130986097
• ISBN-13: 978-0130986092
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,135,627 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Useful text, July 7, 2000

By 

John Hopkins (Elizabeth, NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Simulation Model Design and Execution: Building Digital Worlds (Paperback)

This book's breadth of coverage is above average. It addresses nearly all of the basic simulation model designs in enough detail to allow the reader to come away with a good understanding of each of them. It does not focus on simulation and modeling in specific contexts, but rather on the general ideas behind and processes of modeling. On those occasions where more detail would aid in the illustration of concepts, that detail is provided. Lastly, the book addresses subjects such as conceptual modeling and multimodeling that are not usually covered in many other texts - concepts which are only now, some years after the publishing of the book, coming to the forefront of simulation and modeling research. Overall, use of the book should allow the reader to develop a creative, yet disciplined approach to simulation and modeling in its most abstract senses. A few words about another (anonymous, Lake Worth) review: I felt that "Ad Hominem" attacks and gross characterizations did not do the book the justice it deserves. Plus, the author of the review didn't take credit for it - what does that tell you?

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource, July 24, 2000

By 

LK Dance (Orlando, Florida USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Simulation Model Design and Execution: Building Digital Worlds (Paperback)

This text is well written and easy to follow. The concepts are explained clearly and thoroughly. The text is supported well with excellent diagrams and illustrations that help convey the concepts. The exercises at the end of chapters are challenging, thought provoking, and enhance the learning experience.

The organization of the material is excellent. The text provides complete coverage of the subject. The bridging of the theoretical concepts to the application of these concepts to real world problems is excellent. The beginning chapters provide the background knowledge and a solid foundation of the subject to build on. The following chapters cover different simulation model designs. By exploring different ways to think and reason about any system, you will gain an appreciation for alternative approaches for a model design and their ramifications. After completing the text, you will understand simulation methodology as well as how to apply it to solve real world problems.

Dr. Fishwick's use of an interdisciplinary approach in explaining concepts with examples provides an open environment for creativity and imagination for applying the knowledge gained. He teaches an object oriented approach which provides a method of looking at any real world system at any level of abstraction for design of a meaningful model. In my opinion, this approach in teaching the subject of simulation is very effective in understanding the material as well as learning how to use theory in a practical and useful way to solve real world problems. He is extremely knowledgeable in all areas of simulation and modeling and has excellent ideas on further advancement of the field. His ideas are sound and well thought out. Myself having a background in industry and now pursuing further education, I am of the opinion that Dr. Fishwick is an expert is the academia arena as well as in the industry arena.

The subject is presented in an interesting way that creates a motivating and enthusiastic pursuit of the field of simulation and modeling. This is one of the best textbooks I have ever used. I recommend this text highly.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Horrid book, May 4, 2009

By 

Charles Mcdonald (Little Rock, AR USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Simulation Model Design and Execution: Building Digital Worlds (Paperback)

I'm just completing an undergraduate course using this book and I've found it to be totally useless. The examples are bad or do not completely illustrate the concept he is trying to show. There are many errors in the book, especially in translating a physical system into a simulation model. The model just doesn't fit the actual system and will be misleading if you actually try to apply it.
I generally keep my textbooks but I've given serious consideration to selling this one back to the bookstore. The only thing that stops me is that I don't want to be responsible for some poor sap who buys this thinking they have gotten a good deal. If I had a fireplace, the book would have more value as fuel.
Don't buy this book!