Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)The first edition of this book appeared in 1976 and had only one main author, Bernard P. Zeigler, who authored other appreciated classic text books. The first edition was already a must read for the simulation community, which has been asking for an updating. The new edition is not just a re-edition with small corrections. The advances in simulation and modelling techniques helped to design a really new edition, necessary to meet the need for a theoretical foundation. Bernie Zeigler developed a unifying formalism DEVS (Discrete Event System Specification). With DEVS it is not only possible to specify discrete event systems; it is also particularly suited to integrate both continuous and discrete paradigms for modelling and simulation (discrete time & differential equations). DEVS features are also present in the systems theory.
The first theme of this book is to propose a sound methodology for the construction of complex system models based on the unifying concept of the DEVS Bus. This concept enables the mapping into DEVS of different models expressed in various formalisms such as Petri nets, Hierarchical block diagrams, cellular automata. The second theme focuses on parallel and distributed simulation of discrete event models. Distributed simulation has the potential to support the co-existence of multiple formalisms in multimodels.
I will try to depict the merits and demerits in comparison to other current and past books. First of all, being in the simulation field for ten years now, I have to cite some complementary references. Without giving an exhaustive list of all recent valuable books in the simulation field, we can find other high quality simulation text books ; for instance for continuous simulation [Cellier 1991], for general purpose simulation [Fishwick 1995] or even for more specific object-oriented simulations [Hill 1996]. However, I must admit that this Theory of Modelling and Simulation¡¨ is the only book available to help construct efficient object-oriented simulations of DEVS models on parallel and distributed environments. In addition, modelers who have to deal with HLA (High Level Architecture) compliant simulations will find in the book the reference to design integrative simulations.
The best significant features of this book are:
*The presentation of a comprehensive framework for continuous and discrete event modelling and simulation The exploration of the mathematical foundation of simulation modelling.
*The discussion of system morphisms for model abstraction and simplification *The presentation of a new approach to discrete event simulation of continuous processes. *The discussion of model credibility and interoperation * The highlighting of design concepts like such as modular and hierarchical model composition. *The presentation of a sound methodology to achieve parallel and distributed simulation models.
The reviewer only regrets the lack of public availability for DEVS platforms, despite the quotation of a web site, simulation environments (such as DEVSJAVA) are a real need to fully understand practical and theoretical aspects.
This book has multiple facets. From my teaching and scientific experience, I would say that the primary audience comprises engineers, scientists and other technical people working in academic institutions, but there are many chapters particularly well suited for students at a graduate or even undergraduate level. In my opinion, this was not the case of a previous book from the main author [Zeigler 1990] which was an excellent reference for specialists. I am now impressed by this ability to communicate at various levels. I strongly recommend this book for the reader interested in any kind of simulation and modelling, its impact on research in control will surely be recognized.
References: [Cellier 1991] CELLIER F.E., Continuous System Modeling, Springer Verlag, 1991. [Fishwick 1995] FISHWICK P.A., Simulation Model Design : Building digital worlds, Prentice-Hall, 1995. [Hill 1996] HILL D., Object-Oriented Analysis and Simulation, Addison-Wesley Longmann, 1996. [Zeigler 1990] ZEIGLER B.P., O-O Simulation with hierarchical modular models : Intelligent agents and endomorphic systems. Academic Press, London, 1990
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Theory of Modeling and Simulation, Second EditionThe increased computational power and software tools available to engineers have increased the use and dependence on modeling and computer simulation throughout the design process. These tools have given engineers the capability of designing highly complex systems and computer architectures that were previously unthinkable. Every complex design project, from integrated circuits, to aerospace vehicles, to industrial manufacturing processes requires these new methods. This book fulfills the essential need of system and control engineers at all levels in understanding modeling and simulation. This book, written as a true text/reference has become a standard sr./graduate level course in all EE departments worldwide and all professionals in this area are required to update their skills.The book provides a rigorous mathematical foundation for modeling and computer simulation. It provides a comprehensive framework for modeling and simulation integrating the various simulation approaches. It covers model formulation, simulation model execution, and the model building process with its key activities model abstraction and model simplification, as well as the organization of model libraries. Emphasis of the book is in particular in integrating discrete event and continuous modeling approaches as well as a new approach for discrete event simulation of continuous processes. The book also discusses simulation execution on parallel and distributed machines and concepts for simulation model realization based on the High Level Architecture (HLA) standard of the Department of Defense. * Presents a working foundation necessary for compliance with High Level Architecture (HLA) standards* Provides a comprehensive framework for continuous and discrete event modeling and simulation* Explores the mathematical foundation of simulation modeling* Discusses system morphisms for model abstraction and simplification* Presents a new approach to discrete event simulation of continuous processes* Includes parallel and distributed simulation of discrete event models* Presentation of a concept to achieve simulator interoperability in the form of the DEVS-Bus
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