Computer simulation

Computer simulation is the process of mathematical modelling, performed on a computer, which is designed to predict the behaviour of, or the outcome of, a real-world or physical system. The reliability of some mathematical models can be determined by comparing their results to the real-world outcomes they aim to predict. Computer simulations have become a useful tool for the mathematical modeling of many natural systems in physics (computational physics), astrophysics, climatology, chemistry, biology and manufacturing, as well as human systems in economics, psychology, social science, health care and engineering. Simulation of a system is represented as the running of the system`s model. It can be used to explore and gain new insights into new technology and to estimate the performance of systems too complex for analytical solutions.

Computer simulations are realized by running computer programs that can be either small, running almost instantly on small devices, or large-scale programs that run for hours or days on network-based groups of computers. The scale of events simulated by computer simulations far exceeds what is possible (or perhaps imaginable) using traditional paper-and-pencil mathematical models. In 1997, as part of the Department of Defense's High Performance Computer Modernization Program, multiple supercomputers were used to model 66,239 tanks, trucks, and other vehicles on simulated terrain around Kuwait. A one-on-one desert combat simulation was conducted . Other examples include the 1 billion atom model of material deformation, 2.64 million atom model of the ribosome, the complex protein-producing organelle in all organisms, 2005, [4] 2012; Blue Brain, EPFL (Switzerland) The project started in May 2005 and created the first computer simulation down to the molecular level of the entire human brain .

Simulations are computationally expensive, so computer experiments are used to make inferences such as quantifying uncertainty.