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Compare: To show similarities.
Contrast: To show differences.
Compare and Contrast to make a decision. [Criteria:2 items and the comparison(symbol)] Introduction to Modeling and Simulation Techniques Sentences: 1-If necessary, earlier steps may be revisited. 2-Discrete-event simulation (DES) is a more mature simulation method than agent-based simulation. 3-Many literatures report different aspects and views of modeling and simulation but there is little literature that covers a full cycle of modeling and simulation. 4-Process and system simulation relates to the simulation of different organizational and operational systems, including but not limited to manufacturing systems. 5-The modeled system performance is not defined in the simulation model but emerges from the autonomous agents’ actions, interactions and decision-makings. 6-simulation tools include, but are not limited to: NetLogo. 7-Entities in the simulation model are process steps related to other steps but with no capacity to act independently. 8-Existing literatures report different views and aspects of modeling and simulation techniques with specified interests, but there is limited literature that presents a full vision of modeling and simulation in a procedure suitable for engineering design applications. Comparison and Contrast: 1- Contrast: revisiting earlier steps is an option if necessary. 2- Comparison: DES is a more mature simulation method than agent- based simulation. 3- Contrast: there are many literatures on different aspects of modeling and simulation, but limited literature covers a full cycle of modeling and simulation. 4- Contrast: process and system simulation can simulate different organizational and operational systems, not limited to manufacturing systems. 5- Contrast: in the simulation model, the modeled system performance is defined, while in agent-based simulation, it emerges from the autonomous agents' actions, interactions, and decision-making. 6- Enumeration: NetLogo is one of the simulation tools available, but not the only one. 7- Contrast: entities in the simulation model are process steps related to other steps, but they cannot act independently. 8- Contrast: existing literature covers different aspects of modeling and simulation with specified interests, but there is limited literature that presents a full vision of modeling and simulation suitable for engineering design applications. INTRODUCTION TO MODELING AND SIMULATION Sentences: Comparison: 1-Discrete event simulation is less detailed (coarser in its smallest time unit) than continuous simulation but it is much simpler to implement, and hence, is used in a wide variety of situations. 2- The number of experiments in a simulation study is greater than or equal to the number of questions being asked about the model. 3- Application-oriented simulators are easier to learn and have modeling constructs closely related to the application. 4- Simulation languages offer more flexibility than the application-oriented simulators. 5-The intended audience is those unfamiliar with the area of discrete event simulation as well as beginners looking for an overview of the area. 6-Modeling is arguably the most important part of a simulation study. Indeed, a simulation study is as good as the simulation model. 7-Identify the end user of the simulation model, e.g., corporate management versus a production supervisor. Problems must be formulated as precisely as possible. 8-Step 3. Collect and process real system data. Collect data on system specifications (e.g., bandwidth for a communication network), input variables, as well as performance of the existing system. 9-Step 6. Document model for future use. The models of the original system and the modification were documented as thoroughly as possible. Contrast: 1- Most simulation packages incorporate animation which is excellent for communication and can be used to debug the simulation program; a "correct looking" animation, however, is not a guarantee of a valid model. 2- Standard distributions, e.g., exponential, Poisson, normal, hyperexponential, etc., are easy to model and simulate. Although most simulation software packages include many distributions as a standard feature, issues relating to random number generators and generating random variates from various distributions are pertinent and should be looked into. 3- Normally, statistical inference can assess the significance of an observed phenomenon, but most statistical inference techniques assume independent, identically distributed (iid) data. 4- Although a simulation model can be built using general purpose programming languages which are familiar to the analyst, available over a wide variety of platforms, and less expensive, most simulation studies today are implemented using a simulation package. 5- A model is similar to but simpler than the system it represents. 6- The important point is that powerful simulation software is merely a hygiene factor - its absence can hurt a simulation study but its presence will not ensure success. 7- This not only ensures that the model assumptions are correct, complete and consistent, but also enhances confidence in the model. 8-Problems in which mathematical model can be formulated but analytic solutions are either impossible. Comparison: 1-Items being compared: Discrete event simulation and continuous simulation. The comparison is about the level of detail and simplicity in implementation. Criteria being compared: Level of detail and simplicity in implementation. 2-Items being compared: The number of experiments and the number of questions being asked about the model. Criteria being compared: Number of experiments and number of questions being asked about the model. 3-Items being compared: Application-oriented simulators and general simulators. The comparison is about ease of learning and modeling constructs related to the application. Criteria being compared: Ease of learning and modeling constructs related to the application. 4-Items being compared: Simulation languages and application-oriented simulators. The comparison is about flexibility. Criteria being compared: Flexibility. 5-The intended audience and beginners. The criteria are familiarity with discrete event simulation and a desire for an overview of the area. 6-Modeling and a simulation study. The criteria is the quality of the simulation model, which is essential for a successful simulation study. 7-The end user of the simulation model and problems. The criteria are the end user of the simulation model, such as corporate management or a production supervisor, and the precision of the problem formulation. 8-Real system data and system specifications, input variables, and performance of the existing system. The criteria are the collection and processing of real system data, including system specifications, input variables, and performance of the existing system. 9-The models of the original system and the modification, and documentation for future use. The criteria are the thorough documentation of the models of the original system and the modification for future use. Contrast: 1-Items being contrasted: Animation in simulation packages and a valid model. The criteria are that animation can be used for communication and debugging, but a "correct looking" animation is not a guarantee of a valid model. 2-Items being contrasted: Standard distributions and random number generation. The criteria are the ease of modeling and simulating standard distributions, but the issues related to random number generators and generating random variates from various distributions should be looked into. 3-Items being contrasted: Statistical inference and independent, identically distributed (iid) data. The criteria is that statistical inference techniques assume iid data, which may not always be the case in a simulation study. 4-Items being contrasted: General-purpose programming languages and simulation packages. The criteria are the benefits of using a simulation package, such as being familiar to the analyst and available on a wide variety of platforms, as well as the current trend of implementing simulation studies using a simulation package. 5-Items being contrasted: A model and the system it represents. The criteria are that a model is similar to but simpler than the system it represents. 6-Items being contrasted: Powerful simulation software and success in a simulation study. The criteria are that powerful simulation software is necessary but not sufficient for the success of a simulation study. 7-Items being contrasted: Correctness, completeness, and consistency of model assumptions, and confidence in the model. The criteria are the correctness, completeness, and consistency of the model assumptions, and the enhancement of confidence in the model. 8-Items being contrasted: Mathematical models and analytic solutions. The criteria are the formulation of a mathematical model for problems where analytic solutions are impossible.