Introduction to the DEVS Modeling and Simulation Formalism

This chapter discusses some of the basic ideas behind modeling and simulation theory of modeling and simulation, the reader should refer to Zeigler; Zeigler, Praehofer, and Kim; and Zeigler to understand the details behind the mathematical background of this technique. Discrete-event simulation techniques were developed hand in hand with the creation of the computer. The separation of concerns and the use of a formal mechanism to describe each of the components allowed Discrete-event systems specification (DEVS) methodology to improve the creation of models and the execution of simulations. DEVS was created for modeling and simulating discrete-event dynamic systems; thus, it defines a way to specify systems whose states change either upon the reception of an input event or due to the expiration of a time delay. Coupled models group several DEVS into a composite model that can be regarded, due to the closure property, as a new DEVS model.