The problem of the initial transient in digital computer simulation

The problem of the initial transient has received much attention in the simulation literature. However, much of it is replete with ambiguous admonitions rendering it virtually useless to the average practitioner. In this paper we present a comprehensive framework for this problem within which a systematic study may be pursued and eventually produce some well-defined, comprehensible, and meaningful methods that a simulator can apply to his particular problem. More specifically, we give 1) a precise definition of the problem, 2) a set of criteria by which solutions may be evaluated, and 3) a description of the studies underway within the framework established in 1) and 2).