Publications on SLAM and its predecessor software and associated support systems have appeared at frequent intervals over the past three decades. A standard body of material--event-oriented discrete, process-oriented discrete, and continuous systems simulation, used alone and together--has emerged. Accompanying this material are many examples, which are becoming SLAM staples. Over 40 examples and illustrations are given here, most of which differ little, if at all, from earlier books’ descriptions, except for their dialogue boxes.
The dialogue boxes guide users in entering information about nodes and other simulation elements. Their presence may reflect a stronger emphasis on binding together the language and the support system, AweSim. Network simulation also seems to be receiving increased emphasis as of late. It is integrated with the support system, seen here in the repeated examples of AweSim dialogue boxes accompanying node descriptions. Even with the dialogue boxes, the coverage of AweSim is slim, occupying just one of 17 chapters; this may mask great support for the other simulation modes. Visual SLAM’s newer object-oriented subnetwork philosophy, with subnetworks as independent objects, may also enhance the network world view.
SLAM’s past has been linked with Fortran, both for network model inserts, such as process generators, functions, and user-developed nodes, and for events, which are mandatory in SLAM’s discrete event simulation world view. Visual SLAM establishes new links to Visual Basic and C. Backward compatibility to Fortran is mentioned but not detailed; Fortran users may prefer SLAM II. If the network view continues to gain momentum, an attendant eclipsing of the event view may further decrease the need to use another language. Nonetheless, these new language connections will be used, and the authors cover them well. Chapter 9 (on inserts) and chapter 11 (on events) are written twice, once for each language.
The slim coverage of AweSim here also suggests that we may expect a new book on AweSim. AweSim’s features include integration with relational databases for such purposes as storing model fragments and subnetworks, as well as ties to a spreadsheet system and other independent software, which give user-developed components greater functionality and make them easier to create. The discussion promotes a broader understanding of simulation support systems and environments, which are likely to attract much future attention. Beyond code fragments and diagrams, I look forward to the incorporation of advanced features, such as the sophisticated exploitation of results from previous simulations and the use of mathematical modeling in model development, verification, and validation.
The book opens with lengthy discussions of general issues, rather than beginning with specifics and the use of the software. I have previously recommended moving a book’s generalities to appendices. When looking back to confirm points, readers may wish for a foldout or other easy-to-access listings. The book’s final topics, on probability and statistics, help prove once again that the combination of building models and making the best statistical use of them is too broad a scope for one book. Elementary comments blend with briefs on more advanced topics, which are altogether too brief. Topics in result analyses would benefit from a comprehensive treatment linked to the elucidation of a simulation support environment. In such a context, simulation can be used to reflect on statistical theory, making the subject more accessible to practitioners and better integrated into the modeling life cycle.
An earlier book on SLAM and simulation sketched other systems, including GPSS and Simscript. Similar material would have been useful here. Comparisons to previous SLAM systems are also missing. For example, neither Fortran nor TESS appears in the index, and scouring the pages for information about them proved unfulfilling. Perhaps this serves to make the book more self-contained. Similarly, the book is strangely silent about acquiring the software. Without it, my comments are limited to what can be gleaned from perusing the text.
Despite these remarks, this book is good overall. It contains departures that will interest both practitioners and researchers. Although most of its examples and illustrations are found in other books on SLAM, disappointing those looking for novelty, first-time readers will be able to learn a lot by example. Perhaps the examples are evidence of some thematic stability within the field. The new material affirms the survival of this language and support system family
