Computing and the WebComputing and the WebSimulationSimulation

OverviewOverview Reasons for SimulationReasons for Simulation Building a ModelBuilding a Model Monopoly Game SimulationMonopoly Game Simulation SimCity SimulationSimCity Simulation Design of Computer SimulationsDesign of Computer Simulations Virtual RealityVirtual Reality Software ApplicationsSoftware Applications

Reasons for SimulationReasons for Simulation Forecasting or predicting the futureForecasting or predicting the future

– Weather forecastWeather forecast– Stock marketStock market

Accessing the inaccessible or impossibleAccessing the inaccessible or impossible– Reactor meltdownReactor meltdown– Crush depth of a submarineCrush depth of a submarine

Experimentation and testingExperimentation and testing– ““What if” section of a PC income tax programWhat if” section of a PC income tax program– Fighter jet flight simulatorFighter jet flight simulator

Education and trainingEducation and training Cost savingsCost savings

Reasons for SimulationReasons for Simulation Education and trainingEducation and training

– Commercial flight simulatorCommercial flight simulator– Virtual surgeryVirtual surgery

Cost savingsCost savings– Military weapons trainingMilitary weapons training– Automotive designAutomotive design– Airplane designAirplane design

Simulation is used to mimic or imitate some Simulation is used to mimic or imitate some phenomenon in a way that represents the real situationphenomenon in a way that represents the real situation

Model is the mathematical / computational Model is the mathematical / computational representation of the phenomenonrepresentation of the phenomenon

Building a ModelBuilding a Model All models have characteristicsAll models have characteristics

– Continuous systems have quantities that vary Continuous systems have quantities that vary smoothly or in a continuous mannersmoothly or in a continuous manner

– Discrete systems have quantities that vary in Discrete systems have quantities that vary in steps or jumpssteps or jumps

– Predictable systems have models that produce Predictable systems have models that produce repeatable results (given the same inputs)repeatable results (given the same inputs)

– Unpredictable systems have models that Unpredictable systems have models that contain unpredictable features (random contain unpredictable features (random number)number)

– Feedback loops are used by models that feed Feedback loops are used by models that feed results back as part of the next inputresults back as part of the next input

Monopoly Game SimulationMonopoly Game Simulation Monopoly consists of a system of rules Monopoly consists of a system of rules

and a simple objectiveand a simple objective Basic flow of the game can be Basic flow of the game can be

implemented via softwareimplemented via software Accuracy and complexity of the model Accuracy and complexity of the model

used by the game directly affects the used by the game directly affects the realism of the simulationrealism of the simulation

Example: get out of jailExample: get out of jail– Roll doubles (3 attempts and then pay $)Roll doubles (3 attempts and then pay $)– Pay $50Pay $50– Use get out of jail free cardUse get out of jail free card

Monopoly Game SimulationMonopoly Game Simulation Look at the probability of the gameLook at the probability of the game ““Jail” has the highest probability of all Jail” has the highest probability of all

properties on the boardproperties on the board Examine properties that are “1 roll of Examine properties that are “1 roll of

the dice” awaythe dice” away Look at the return on investment graphLook at the return on investment graph

– Based on probability of people landing on Based on probability of people landing on propertyproperty

– Computes ROI of adding houses / hotelsComputes ROI of adding houses / hotels

SimCity SimulationSimCity Simulation Objective of game is to build and run a cityObjective of game is to build and run a city Player must build roads, power plants, Player must build roads, power plants,

parks, housing, etcparks, housing, etc Taxes can be levied to raise money, too Taxes can be levied to raise money, too

much tax has a negative effectmuch tax has a negative effect Game includes disasters, wear and tear on Game includes disasters, wear and tear on

factories, and deterioration of roadsfactories, and deterioration of roads Balance must be struck amongBalance must be struck among

– ResidentialResidential– CommercialCommercial– industrialindustrial

SimCity SimulationSimCity Simulation Based upon the balance that is struck Based upon the balance that is struck

you may need to:you may need to:– Provide multiple transportation meansProvide multiple transportation means– Water supply systemWater supply system– Include recreational facilitiesInclude recreational facilities– Provide schools, police and firestationsProvide schools, police and firestations

Design of Computer SimulationsDesign of Computer Simulations Steps to follow for the creation of a simulation:Steps to follow for the creation of a simulation:

– Determine if the simulation is feasibleDetermine if the simulation is feasible– Create a model to mimic the real world situationCreate a model to mimic the real world situation– Write a computer program based on the modelWrite a computer program based on the model– Validate and verify that the program represents the Validate and verify that the program represents the

real world situationreal world situation– Experiment with the simulation to resolve the Experiment with the simulation to resolve the

problemproblem Languages created specifically for simulationLanguages created specifically for simulation

Virtual RealityVirtual Reality VR describes a situation in which an VR describes a situation in which an

individual has a three dimensional view individual has a three dimensional view into a world that doesn’t existinto a world that doesn’t exist

Applications:Applications:– GamingGaming– ArchitectureArchitecture– Virtual surgeryVirtual surgery

Software ApplicationsSoftware Applications Spreadsheet is most common exampleSpreadsheet is most common example

– Allows user to create “models” and then Allows user to create “models” and then vary parameters to evaluate the outcomesvary parameters to evaluate the outcomes

Many commercial applications are Many commercial applications are available to meet specific needsavailable to meet specific needs– 3D home architect 3D home architect – Home landscape designHome landscape design– Flight simulatorFlight simulator