%0 Journal Article
%T StochSD: A Full Potential CSS Language for Dynamic and Stochastic Modelling, Simulation and Statistical Analysis
%A Leif Gustafsson
%A Erik Gustafsson
%A Magnus Gustafsson
%J Open Journal of Modelling and Simulation
%P 219-253
%@ 2327-4026
%D 2022
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/ojmsi.2022.102012
%X <span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">It is vital that a well-defined conceptual model can
be realized by a macro-model (e.g., a Continuous System Simulation (CSS) model)
or a micro-model (e.g., an Agent-Based model or Discrete Event Simulation
model) and still produce mutually consistent results. The Full Potential CSS
concept provides the rules so that the results from macro-modelling become
fully consistent with those from micro-modelling. This paper focuses on the
simulation language StochSD</span> (<u><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">Stoch</span></u><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">astic </span><u><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">S</span></u><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">ystem </span><u><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">D</span></u><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">ynamics),
which is an extension of classical Continuous System Simulation that implements
the Full Potential CSS concept. Thus, in addition to modelling and simulating
continuous flows between compartments represented by ¡°real¡± numbers, it can
also handle transitions of discrete entities by integer numbers, enabling
combined models to be constructed in a straight-forward way. However,
transition events of discrete entities (e.g., arrivals, accidents, deaths)
usually happen irregularly over time, so stochasticity often plays a crucial
role in their modelling. Therefore, StochSD contains powerful random functions
to model uncertainties of different kinds, together with devices to collect
statistics during a simulation or from multiple replications of the same
stochastic model. Also, tools for sensitivity analysis, optimisation and
statistical analysis are included. </span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">In
particular, StochSD includes features for stochastic modelling, post-analysis</span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"> of multiple simulations, and presentation of the results in statistical form.
In addition to making StochSD a Full Potential CSS language, a second purpose
is to provide an open-source package intended for small and middle-sized models
in education, self-studies and research. To make StochSD and its philosophy
easy to comprehend and use, it is based on the System Dynamics approach, where
a system is described in terms of stocks and flows. StochSD is available for
Windows, macOS and Linux. On the StochSD homepage, there is extensive material
for a course in Modelling and Simulation in form of PowerPoint lectures and
laboratory exercises.</span>
%K Stochastic Simulation
%K Combined Simulation
%K Consistent Modelling
%K Open-Source
%K System Dynamics
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=116904