Gpss Turns 40: Selected Perspectives

GPSS (General Purpose Simulation System) is celebrating its 40 birthday this year. We recognize this notable birthday by assembling a panel of discussants consisting of some of the folks who have contributed significantly to GPSS and its use over the years. The panelists are Springer Cox (GPSS/PC and GPSS World), Jim Henriksen (GPSS/H and Proof Animation), Peter Lorenz (promoter of GPSS in Europe and on the Web), Julian Reitman (principal in early interactive use and accommodation for largescale simulations), and Ingolf Ståhl (micro-GPSS for Windows and on the Web), with Tom Schriber (author of the “Red Book”) as moderator. Each panelist has contributed written perspectives describing aspects of his involvement with GPSS. A Geoffrey Gordon memoriam is included in the paper. (Geoffrey Gordon, who conceived and evolved the idea for GPSS and brought about its IBM implementations, died in 1989.)