A simulation is an imitation of the dynamics of a real-world process or system over time.
The behavior of the system is studied by constructing a simulation model, which usually takes the form of a set of assumptions about the workings of the system. Once developed, a simulation model can be used for a variety of tasks:
- Investigate the behavior of the system under a wide array of scenarios. This is also often referred to as a “what-if” analysis.
- Changes to the system can be simulated before implementation to predict their impact in real-world.
- During the design stage of a system, meaning while it’s being built, simulation can be used to guide its construction.
Used in many domains such as manufacturing, healthcare, consumer behavior, transport systems, defense and management science, etc.
#Why Simulate?
Vs. direct experimentation.
- It’s cheaper to implement and doesn’t require a disruption of a real-world system.
- It’s faster to implement and can be compressed or expanded to allow for a speed-up or a slow-down of the system of interest.
- It can be replicated multiple times and the workings of the system can be observed a large number of times.
- It’s safer since it doesn’t require an actual disruption of the system.
- It’s ethical and legal since it can implement changes in policies that would be unethical or illegal to do in real-world.
Another alternative is to use a deterministic model representing the system. However, it is often infeasible, if not impossible, to come up with an exact mathematical model which can faithfully represent the system under study.
Random Variable Simulation