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Built-in Probability Distributions Over 20 built in probability distributions have been added, including:
2.6. Continuous Simulation Integration of User Variables in GPSS World™ is extremely easy. One or more INTEGRATE statements, and variable initialization, is all that is needed. Systems of ordinary differential equations, of any order, can be simulated. Plot and Expression Windows are available for online viewing of the states of variables, discrete or continuous. In GPSS World™, discrete and continuous modes are tightly coupled. A mixed simulation proceeds with alternating continuous and discrete phases. Integrated variables are available for manipulation during discrete processing, and continuous state thresholds can be used to trigger the generation of transactions and to exit from the continuous phase. Integration is done automatically by a variable step 5th order Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg method, RKF4(5). 2.7. Output Analysis The first level of data analysis is completely automatic. Statistical analysis of experiment results is performed automatically, and can be customized for special needs. The ANOVA Library Procedure provides for push button data analysis. It calculates confidence intervals and a one-way Analysis of Variance with a single action. Data can be manipulated directly using a full screen editor, and cumulative result files, created specifically by individual replications, can be read and analyzed quickly. Both Experiment Generators provide their own output analysis. Screening Experiments itemize effects by alias groups whereas Optimizing Experiments calculate a complete second order response surface automatically.
3. Usability Features GPSS World was designed specifically for interactive use so that a high level of user involvement with the simulation is possible. 3.1. GUI GPSS World is characterized by its Graphical User Interface. Over 20 graphical and text windows are used to provide interactive model building, testing, and observation. In addition, dialog windows are frequently used when more information is required. A full screen text editor, with clipboard facilities, is available for creating and modifying your model. Place-markers, called Bookmarks, can be set in large models, so that it is easy to jump from place to place. Graphical Block Input Dialogs can be used to build models in a more closely controlled environment. The Graphical User Interface can be operated by mouse or keyboard. However, some operations, such as drag and drop, require a mouse. 3.2. OOUI GPSS World™ can be operated as an Object Oriented User Interface, as well. Models, Simulations, and Experiments are Objects in GPSS World™. They can be saved, restored, and manipulated in an intuitive manner corresponding to Microsoft's Document/View Architecture. 3.3. High Performance Translator GPSS World™ features a new high performance model translator for creating Simulation Objects. The largest models are translated in no more than a few seconds. Any errors that are detected are placed in a message queue so that they may be corrected quickly using the full screen editor. 3.4. High Interactivity GPSS World™ is unsurpassed in interactivity. Any model statement entered after a simulation has been created, is itself translated, and sent to the Simulation Object for execution. Commands are either immediate or queued, and block statements are performed in "Manual Simulation" mode, causing a temporary block to be created and entered. Point and shoot debugging is available through the Blocks Window. Files of Commands or PLUS Procedures can be invoked through INCLUDE statements, which, in turn, may be loaded into function keys. 3.5. Hot Keys Hot keys are defined for CONTINUE, STEP, and STOP commands. This facilitates debugging a running simulation. For more specific actions, your own commands may be loaded into function keys, and invoked with a single keystroke. 3.7. Point and Shoot Debugging Several of the dynamic entity windows come with a Debug Toolbar with single button activation of HALT, STEP, and CONTINUE Commands, as well as the management of Stop Conditions. Now, much of the detailed debugging activities can be handled by simple mousing actions. 3.8. Journaling Each Simulation Object has its own Journal Window which maintains a history of input to and output from the simulation. Data in a Journal Window can be edited, disposed of, or saved, at any time. 3.9. Automatic Report Management One of the strengths of a simulation language is the creation of Standard Reports. With no additional effort, a report of a major entities is generated automatically when a termination condition is detected. Suitable for printing or insertion into another report, Standard Reports deliver most of the general results produced during the simulation. Unless suppressed, Standard Reports are automatically presented in windows, or in a permanent Report File. Settings are available to control the details. Although some users need no more than a Standard Report, extensive report generation capabilities are available to create ad hoc reports. A set of string procedures is available to format individualized reports. These can be delivered via the new Data Stream Blocks in GPSS World™. 3.10. Block Input Dialogs GPSS Blocks can be created under the guidance of Block Creation Dialogs which clearly indicate the use of the Block and the requirements of the arguments. This method of Model development prevents syntax errors from getting into the Model. 3.11. Online Help Online Help is available for all GPSS World™ Windows, dialogs, and Menu Items. In addition, the Reference Manual is available online. 4. Visualization GPSS World™ excels in the visualization of running simulations. Consistent with the generality of the GPSS language, twenty different windows are available for observation of and interaction with your simulations. No additional effort beyond operating the windows is necessary to obtain, save, and print a visual representation of the state of the simulation. Simulation Windows may either take a one time snapshot of a quickly changing entity, or they may be updated online, dynamically changing to keep current with the changing state of the running simulation. 4.1. Snapshot Windows Snapshots are available for:
4.2. Dynamic Windows Any number of Online Simulation Windows can be opened on the following entity types:
The Table Window presents a dynamic histogram that is extremely useful for viewing the accumulation of values, looking for outliers, and observing the convergence to a parent probability distribution. In addition, the Plot Window and the Expression Window can be used to follow the values of arbitrary expressions. Any number of multicolored online plots can be viewed, saved, or printed by opening one or more Plot Windows. Each window can track the value of up to 8 general expressions, including integration variables. Plots can be scrolled vertically and horizontally, and can be scaled in either direction, as well. The Expression Window can be an extremely powerful microscope on your Simulation. Using it, you can view the changing values of any number of PLUS Expressions, of your own creation. As with all simulation windows, you can open Expression Windows at any point in the simulation. 5. Animation A variety of animation possibilities exist in GPSS World™. The level of realism varies from abstract visualization requiring no effort, to highly realistic dynamic representations involving complex user-drawn elements. The latter requires third party software such as Proof Animationtm from Wolverine Software in addition to GPSS World. 5.1. Abstract Animation A comprehensive abstract animation capability is built into GPSS World™. This facility is provided by a large set of simulation windows which may be snapshots or dynamic windows. The windows show the GPSS Entities of the simulation dynamically, as they change state during the simulation. No additional effort is required to view such animations, other than merely opening the window. The graphical images may be saved for inclusion into reports, and/or printed, as well. 5.2. Photorealistic Animation This option is provided for users requiring a photorealistic animation of one or more simulations. GPSS World™ includes both a trace-file writing capability as well as support for direct invocation of external programs. GPSS World's procedure library includes file operations and several dynamic function call procedures supporting the direct invocation of programs in external DLLs and other executables. 6. Compatibility For users of mainframe GPSS, the major Blocks, SNAs, and other facilities are available with no more than modest implementation changes. The full screen editor and fast model Translator make it easy to find problems and correct them. The new, highly interactive and visualizable GPSS World environment can be used to ensure that legacy models are behaving as designed. For users of GPSS/PC™, the Commercial Version of GPSS World™ places a high priority on its ability to run existing GPSS/PC™ applications with few modifications. A compatibility mode allows The Commercial Version of GPSS World™ to closely duplicate the processing of GPSS/PC™. This allows old models to be brought up to the new environment quickly, and promotes confidence that old models are operating reliably. In most cases, it’s easy to achieve precise duplication of results. 7. Configuration Requirements
8. Distribution The Student Version of GPSS World, as well as the Personal Version, is normally distributed via Internet download, the Commercial Version of GPSS World™, which normally cones with hardcopy manuals, is available on CD from Minuteman Software, and also via download on request. 9. Documentation and Package Contents GPSS World documentation consists of the GPSS World Reference Manual and the GPSS World Tutorial Manual. All installations include local Online Help access to the Reference Manual. Users have the option to install one or both manuals locally in the HTML format. The tutorial manual begins with a step-by-step introduction to the GPSS World™ simulation environment, and leads into a chapter with in depth discussions of dozens of sample models taken from real world applications. These examples include traffic control, inventory control, flexible manufacturing systems, PABX design, Ethernet networks, and many others. The Reference Manual contains the specification of GPSS World: the commands available, what they do, and how to use them. All installations of GPSS World can access the Reference Manual locally via Online Help. Hardcopy versions of the GPSS World Tutorial Manual and the GPSS World Reference Manual are available from Minuteman Software. HTML Versions of both manuals are available free of charge for download from our Web site. 10. Installation Installation is performed automatically by the Install program in only a few minutes. The user first downloads the GPSS World™ product from the Minuteman Software Web site, or acquires the CD from Minuteman Software. For prepaid installations, the procedure is nearly automatic. GPSS World™ must be activated before it can be used. The Installation program will generate an encrypted registration message to be sent to Minuteman Software. In return email, you will receive a numeric key for activation. If you later reinstall the software on a new computer, you will need to obtain a new numeric key. A small fee may be charged for this reinstallation service. 11. Availability GPSS World™ is available now.
GPSS World, and GPSS/PC are trademarks of Minuteman Software,
Holly Springs, North Carolina.
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