VLE: a multimodeling and simulation environment

Modeling and Simulation (M&S) is becoming the core of scientific activities addressing nature complexity. To tackle complexity, we need to integrate heterogeneous formalisms in the same model. Models then become multimodels. Furthermore, M&S softwares have to assist take into account the M&S activity cycle, i.e. modellers to design and to implement models, to define experimental frames and to analyse simulation results. Therefore, the M&S field needs reliable softwares oriented towards multimodels design and execution. The aim of this article is to introduce the Virtual Laboratory Environment (VLE). VLE is a both a software and an API which supports multimodeling and simulation. It addresses the reliability issue by using recent developments of the theory of M&S proposed by Zeigler. We present VLE in the context of the M&S cycle.