We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

Discrete Event Simulation

Save
May 1, 2024 Updated May 11, 2025 18 minute read

Discrete Event Simulation (DES) is a powerful method for modeling the operation of a system as a sequence of distinct events occurring over time. Imagine trying to understand the complex dance of an airport during peak hours – passengers arriving, bags being checked, security lines forming, and planes taking off. DES allows us to create a virtual replica of such systems, where each of these activities is an "event" that changes the state of the airport. By observing these changes, we can gain insights into how the system functions, identify potential bottlenecks, and test the impact of proposed improvements, all without disrupting the real-world operation.

Working with Discrete Event Simulation can be intellectually engaging and rewarding. It offers the opportunity to dissect intricate real-world problems, transforming them into logical models that can be experimented with in a risk-free digital environment. The ability to forecast the outcomes of different scenarios and provide data-driven recommendations for optimization can be immensely satisfying. Furthermore, DES is a versatile tool applicable across a wide array of industries, from optimizing manufacturing lines and improving patient flow in hospitals to assessing financial risk and streamlining logistics. This versatility means that skills in DES can open doors to diverse and impactful career paths.

Introduction to Discrete Event Simulation

This section will lay the groundwork for understanding Discrete Event Simulation, defining its core principles and exploring its origins. We will also touch upon some of the key industries where DES plays a crucial role and introduce some fundamental terminology that will be used throughout this article.

Definition and Core Principles

Path to Discrete Event Simulation

Take the first step.
We've curated 12 courses to help you on your path to Discrete Event Simulation. Use these to develop your skills, build background knowledge, and put what you learn to practice.
Sorted from most relevant to least relevant:

Share

Help others find this page about Discrete Event Simulation: by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Reading list

We've selected four books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Discrete Event Simulation.
Provides a detailed guide to using the Arena simulation software. It good resource for those who want to learn how to use Arena to model and analyze complex systems.
Explores the use of agent-based modeling and simulation to study complex systems. It good resource for those interested in understanding how discrete-event simulation can be used to model human behavior.
Provides a thorough introduction to stochastic modeling, which is the mathematical foundation of discrete-event simulation. It good resource for those who want to understand the theoretical underpinnings of the subject matter.
This textbook provides a clear and concise introduction to discrete-event simulation. It good resource for those who want to learn the basics of the subject matter.
Table of Contents
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser