Editing Simulation (section)

{{Short description|Imitation of the operation of a real-world process or system over time}}
{{hatnote group|
{{Redirect-several|dab=off|Simulation (disambiguation)|Simulator (disambiguation)|Simulate (company)}}
{{Distinguish|Stimulation|Emulation (computing)}}
}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Research}}

A '''simulation''' is an imitative representation of a process or system that could exist in the real world.<ref>{{Cite web |title=simulation, n. meanings, etymology and more {{!}} Oxford English Dictionary |url=https://www.oed.com/dictionary/simulation_n?tab=factsheet&tl=true |access-date=2023-09-20 |website=www.oed.com}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Cambridge University Press |date=2023 |title=SIMULATION {{!}} English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary |url=https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/simulation |access-date=2023-09-20 |website=Cambridge Dictionary}}</ref><ref name="definition">{{cite book|title=Discrete-Event System Simulation|author1=J. Banks|author2=J. Carson|author3=B. Nelson|author4=D. Nicol|publisher=Prentice Hall|year=2001|isbn=978-0-13-088702-3|page=3}}</ref> In this broad sense, simulation can often be used interchangeably with [[model]].<ref name=":3" /> Sometimes a clear distinction between the two terms is made, in which simulations require the use of models; the model represents the key characteristics or behaviors of the selected system or process, whereas the simulation represents the evolution of the model over time.<ref name="definition" /> Another way to distinguish between the terms is to define simulation as [[experiment]]ation with the help of a model.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=White |first1=K. Preston |last2=Ingalls |first2=Ricki G. |title=2015 Winter Simulation Conference (WSC) |chapter=Introduction to simulation |date=December 2015 |chapter-url=https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7408292 |pages=1741–1755 |doi=10.1109/WSC.2015.7408292|isbn=978-1-4673-9743-8 }}</ref> This definition includes time-independent simulations. Often, [[computer simulation|computers are used to execute the simulation]].

Simulation is used in many contexts, such as simulation of technology for [[performance tuning]] or optimizing, [[safety engineering]], testing, training, education, and video games. Simulation is also used with [[scientific modelling]] of natural systems or human systems to gain insight into their functioning,<ref>In the words of the [http://www.modelbenders.com/encyclopedia/encyclopedia.html Simulation article] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210155230/http://www.modelbenders.com/encyclopedia/encyclopedia.html |date=10 December 2017 }} in Encyclopedia of Computer Science, "designing a model of a real or imagined system and conducting experiments with that model".</ref> as in economics. Simulation can be used to show the eventual real effects of alternative conditions and courses of action. Simulation is also used when the real system cannot be engaged, because it may not be accessible, or it may be dangerous or unacceptable to engage, or it is being designed but not yet built, or it may simply not exist.<ref>{{cite book |author=Sokolowski, J.A. |author2=Banks, C.M. |title=Principles of Modeling and Simulation |url=https://archive.org/details/principlesmodeli00soko_034 |url-access=limited |publisher=John Wiley & Son|year=2009 |page=[https://archive.org/details/principlesmodeli00soko_034/page/n15 6] |isbn=978-0-470-28943-3 }}</ref>

Key issues in [[modeling and simulation]] include the acquisition of valid sources of information about the relevant selection of key characteristics and behaviors used to build the model, the use of simplifying approximations and assumptions within the model, and fidelity and validity of the simulation outcomes. Procedures and protocols for [[Verification and validation of computer simulation models|model verification and validation]] are an ongoing field of academic study, refinement, research and development in simulations technology or practice, particularly in the work of computer simulation.