BetaSIM: A framework for discrete event modelling and simulation

Abstract The paper discusses a layered design for a discrete event simulation framework based on the Beta programming language. A description of goals and motivation of simulation modelling is followed by a brief characterisation of Beta and its suitability for work in this area. After some general comments on the history and state of simulation programming, the design of the BetaSIM framework is illustrated and discussed through a number of queuing network scenarios of increasing complexity. These examples focus on BetaSIM's linguistic support for interruptible rendezvous and nested server abstractions. A summary of strengths and limitations of object orientation and Beta for this class of application, as well as BetaSIM's contribution to the effective description of queuing scenarios, conclude the paper.

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