
6 Introduction to Computational Modeling
FIGURE 1.3: Model development and abstract levels.
and it is a descriptive model. It is usually described with some formal or semi-formal
notation. For example, discrete-event simulation models are described with UML
(the Unified Modeling Language) and/or extended simulation activity diagrams.
The conceptual model is formulated from the initial problem statement, informal
user requirements, and data and knowledge gathered from analysis of previously de-
veloped models. The stages mentioned in the model development process are carried
out at different levels of abstraction. Figure 1.3 illustrates the relationship ...