Simulation And Modeling Questions
The main difference between discrete event simulation and continuous simulation lies in the nature of the events being modeled.
Discrete event simulation focuses on modeling systems where events occur at distinct points in time. These events are typically instantaneous and discrete, meaning they happen at specific moments and do not have a continuous nature. Examples of discrete event simulation include modeling the flow of customers in a queue or the movement of vehicles in a traffic network.
On the other hand, continuous simulation deals with systems where events occur continuously over time. In this type of simulation, the variables being modeled change continuously, and the simulation model needs to capture this continuous nature. Examples of continuous simulation include modeling the flow of fluids in a pipeline or the growth of a population over time.
In summary, discrete event simulation models systems with discrete and instantaneous events, while continuous simulation models systems with continuous and evolving variables over time.