ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the a new architecture for an integrated continuous-system modeling and simulation environment. There exist a few simulation languages geared toward truly combined continuous and discrete simulation, such as COSMOS and SYSMOD. In addition to the modeling software itself, which is domain-independent, an integrated modeling and simulation environment should provide for domain-dependent model libraries. The chapter focuses on concepts and components of integrated continuous-system modeling and simulation environments. The interaction between the simulation program and the animation program should probably be direct, going through the database. Again, this decision is based on efficiency considerations. A modeling/simulation environment for thermal heating systems should contain basic models of rooms, walls, windows, rockbeds, sunspaces, trompe walls. Although the field of computer simulation has matured quite a bit over the past decade, modeling and simulation software design can still make for an exciting and rewarding research area.
