Computer Science Illuminated, 7th Edition

14.2 Specific Models

In this section, we examine three types of simulation models.

Queuing Systems

Let’s look at a very useful type of simulation called a queuing system. A queuing system is a discrete-event model that uses random numbers to represent the arrival and duration of events. A queuing system is made up of servers and queues of objects to be served. Recall from Chapter 8 that a queue is a first-in, first-out (FIFO) structure. We deal with queuing systems all the time in our daily lives. When you stand in line to check out at the grocery store or to cash a check at the bank, you are dealing with a queuing system. When you submit a “batch job” (such as a compilation) on a mainframe computer, your job must wait in line until the ...