SIL - a simulation language. User's guide (Q1188667)

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SIL - a simulation language. User's guide
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    SIL - a simulation language. User's guide (English)
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    23 January 1993
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    This book is a user's guide for SIL, a continuous simulation package, which runs on an IBM PC and which gives particular attention to the solution of stiff ODEs. The software can be used for solving first or higher order systems of nonlinear ordinary differential or difference equations coupled with systems of nonlinear algebraic equations; it can not be used for solving partial differential equations. The system can handle discontinuities (switching between several states) but it does not have an event list and is not really suitable for combined discrete/continuous simulation. To deal with stiff ODEs, SIL uses STRIDE, a reliable integration method written by \textit{K. Burrage}, \textit{J. C. Butcher} and \textit{F. H. Chipman} [BIT, Nord. Tidskr, Informationsbehandling 20, 326-340 (1980; Zbl 0456.65040)]. The system is self-enclosed. It includes a line editor, a compiler, a run-time interpreter but there is no way to link to external routines. Initially designed for a mainframe environment, SIL was ported to the PC in 1985. The micro version, described in the book, requires an XT/AT PC with 640Kbytes and a math co-processor running under DOS version 2.0 or later. There are many graphic commands and most graphic cards are supported. The book is a manual for the SIL package. It includes an introductory section with installation instructions and a walk-through of two small problems. Chapters 4 \& 5 are more general dealing with modelling techniques and the numerical methods used. Chapters 6 \& 7 are the reference sections for the SIL language and the various subsystems. Chapter 8 discusses in some detail 6 models from various areas. The references to other software are rather dated. SIMNON (1975), GASP IV (1974) and MATLAB (1980) are cited but there is no mention of more current systems such as ACSL, SLAM or GASP V. In conclusion, the book meets its goal as complete documentation for a serious reliable mathematical modelling package. This mode of documentation coupled with the statement that microSIL is available from the author implies that the package is aimed at the university or research environment.
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    continuous simulation language
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    stiff differential equations
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    SIL
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    mathematical modelling
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