Evaluation and Ranking of Discrete Simulation Tools

Abstract

In studying through simulation, choosing an appropriate tool/language would be a difficult task because many of them are available. On the other hand, few research works focus on evaluation of simulation tools/languages and their comparison. This paper makes a couple of evaluations and ranks more than fifty simulation tools that are currently available. The first evaluation and ranking is in the approach of Analytic Hierarchy Process and the second one is in the Feature Analysis and Weighted Average Sum. The evaluations and rankings are based on thirteen indicators included in simulation tools, which are the general features, visual aspects, coding aspects, efficiency, modeling assistance, testability, software compatibility, input/output, experimental features, statistical facilities, user support, financial and technical features as well as pedigree. These evaluations and rankings provide significant information for any decision-maker to choose favorite simulation tools.