Systems dynamics and discrete event models

摘要

Agent-based simulations resemble other approaches to modeling complex systems, but also differ from them in significant ways. Systems dynamics models treat the process under consideration as a series of aggregate flows or state changes. Large systems of differential or difference equations are used to plot trajectories of variables over time. For example, we might model factory output as a system where consumers flow into the system, demanding products at some price, and the factory makes the product and accumulates inventory, shipping products out to customers.