The Evolution of Simulation and its Contributions to Many Disciplines

Abstract

The aims of this chapter are: (1) To provide a comprehensive view of the stages of the evolution of simulation. (2) To emphasize the phenomenal developments in many aspects of simulation which made it an important and even a vital infrastructure for many disciplines. (3) To underline the fact that the transition from “model-based” paradigm to “simulation-based” paradigm may be beneficial for many disciplines. In Sect. 1.2, references for a systematic collection and a critical review of about 100 definitions of simulation as well as a comprehensive and integrative definition of simulation are given. In Sect. 1.3, the reasons simulation is used are clarified. These reasons make simulation very useful for many disciplines. In Sect. 1.4, nine aspects of the evolution of simulation are clarified including simulation-based disciplines. In Sect. 1.5, many disciplines for which simulation-based paradigm would make them much more powerful and efficient are elaborated.