1 Introduction to Systems Modeling

This chapter introduces some key concepts that underlie the framework and methodology for modeling and simulation (M&S) originally presented in “Theory of Modeling and Simulation” published in 1976 − referred to hereafter as TMS76 to distinguish it from the current revised edition TMS98. Perhaps the most basic concept is that of mathematical systems theory. First developed in the nineteen sixties, this theory provides a fundamental, rigorous mathematical formalism for representing dynamical systems. There are two main, and orthogonal, aspects to the theory: