Using Java to develop discrete event simulations

The rapid development of the Internet and the introduction of Java as a programming language has provided new possibilities for discrete event simulations. This paper surveys some of these developments and discusses the aspects of Java that make it attractive for developing such simulations. It then describes the development of two simulation systems in Java, one a straightforward application of the three-phase approach and the other a system that supports distributed client-server applications. The limitations and advantages of using Java in this way are discussed.