A data analysis software tool for the visual simulation environment

Abstract

The objective of the research described herein is to develop a prototype data analysis software tool integrated within the Visual Simulation Environment (VSE). The VSE is an integrated set of software tools that provide computer-aided assistance throughout the development life cycle of visual discrete-event simulation models. Simulation input and output data analyses are commonly needed in simulation studies. A software tool performing such data analysis is required within the VSE to provide automated support for input data modeling and output data analysis phases of the model development life cycle. The VSE DataAnalyzer provides general statistics. histograms, confidence intervals, and randomness tests for the data sets. It can also create C modules for generating random variates based on a collected set of data. Furthermore, the VSE DataAnalyzer possesses the basic file management, editing, printing, and formatting functionalities as well as a complete help feature. It has been used in a senior-level Simulation and Modeling course, and the feedback from the students has been positive. New functionalities can easily be added to the VSE DataAnalyzer due to its object-oriented software structure. The VSE DataAnalyzer is yet another software tool created to provide more comprehensive automated support throughout the visual simulation model development.