On—line simulation

Abstract

An on-line simulation system allows both the user and the computer to cooperate and share the task of performing the simulation. It does this by providing facilities for the user to interact with the computer so that they may both play active roles in the simulation process as it is occurring. Thus, the user may perform some of the simulation functions himself and the computer performs the remaining ones. Alternately, the user may act only as a monitor and observe, verify and record data or modify and redirect the simulation when it strays erroneously from the desired path.1,2,3 A second feature of an on-line simulation system is that it may allow the actual phenomenon being simulated to become a part of the simulation.