Simulation of computers: A tutorial introduction

It is only in the last six to eight years that serious, widespread application of the process of simulation has been applied to the performance analysis of computers.

Although digital simulation itself is approximately thirty years old, it wasn't until 1966-67 that serious efforts were made to apply this process to a broad array of applications in computer analysis. The reasons for this are not clear. Possibly it was because the techniques of modeling computers had not sufficiently matured for this sophisticated use. Possibly it was because practitioners of simulation and modeling were not well enough versed in the design and operation of computers. Modelers are not necessarily computer technologists, as opposed to computer users. Likely the combination of both reasons served to create the situation which is the contextual background for the elements of this discussion which deals with three subjects:

1) the tools and techniques of computer simulation

2) the areas of activity to which these techniques have been found useful

3) some problems that have occurred due to the immaturity of the process itself