Package ikr.simlib.events

Event Handling

See: Description

Package ikr.simlib.events Description

Event Handling


The simulation library is based on the principle of event-driven simulation. Stemming from a model in which state transitions take place at discrete points in time (therefore discrete time simulation), the simulated time of the original system is represented by the real-time of the simulation so that the "idle time" between state transitions is bridged and no further processing time is needed (see Figure).

Events during the simulation
Events during the simulation


The state transitions are described with the help of events (see Event). These events have two characteristics. One is a time stamp, which defines the simulated point in time at which the event occurred. The other is, e.g., an event type, which defines the state transition cause, a change of system parameters, generation of subsequent events, etc. An example of an event might be the arrival of a request at the generator or the end of service for a request in a service unit.

Events

The term "event" as used in the simulation library does not mean a single time-stamped event, rather a summary of single events e.g., the event "end of service in phase 1". The term "event" is used on a higher level of abstraction.

All events are derived from class Event, which has the following characteristics:
- An integer field defines the event type.
- An event can contain a list of embedded events which can be added using addEmbeddedEvent().
- The function processEvent() is called by the calendar (see Calendar) when the event occurs. It will first call the handleProcessEvent() functions of all embedded events and then its own handleProcessEvent() function.
- The function cancelEvent() is called by the calendar (see Calendar) when the event is cancelled. It will first call the handleCancelEvent() functions of all embedded events and then its own handleCancelEvent() function.
- A time stamp is not a part of Event.