Arena - Use of Elements template

[lthoa]

I find that Arena provides Elements template with many interesting blocks. However I don't know in which situation I can use this template and how I can use it. Reading the Help file doesn't really help me in this regard. Could some one give me some instructions or pointer on this? I really appreciate your help.

[ewilliams]

Historically, the blocks in the Elements template were blocks in the SIMAN (SIMulation ANalysis) programming language (yes, I said "programming language") on which Arena is based. The best way to learn ALL the details (there are many, and many capabilities!) is to study the older text "Introduction to Simulation Using Siman" by C. Dennis Pegden, Robert E. Shannon and Randall P. Sadowski.

[lthoa]

Thank you very much, Williams. Could you tell me briefly why Elements template is there? It is for programming purpose?
By the way, I'd like to incorporate some algorithm in my simulation, which blocks should I use?

[Hirotaro]

To be precise: There are two templates utilizing SIMAN: Blocks and Elements. Generaly speaking, these two work together in a way that you define appropriate elements in the element module (eg. Queues) and then you utilize them in modules from block template (eg. Queue) while building your model. What makes these templates different from the standard ones? Well, in my opinion they give the modeler a little bit more flexibility. For example you can number the elements (e.g. queues) and use these numbers to model some logic or create some loops in your VBA or C++ code.

Moreover, in the blocks template you can find blocks like 'If','Else', 'While' that you can utilize to create some algorythms. Still, for more complex ones, extensions to VBA or C++ code are more suitable in my belives.

Apart from good reference from Williams, you can find a chapter in 'Simulation with Arena' by Kelton where some of the blocks are put into play. You can also use Arena help and some of the Smart files for further learning.

Cheers

[lthoa]

Hi Hirotaro,

May I ask in which section of Kelton's book that mention the Block panel usage. I read this book for quite a while but can't find it.

Thank you very much in advance

[Paul]

In the 3rd edition of Kelton et al. (2004), blocks are mainly described in chapter 5 (Modeling Detailed Operations). There is some general information in section 5.3 (Modeling Approach) and more detailed descriptions regarding the usage of some selected blocks in section 5.9 (Model 5-2) and section 5.10 (Model 5-3).

This is probably similar in later editions of the book.

Hope this helps.

Paul

[lthoa]

Thank you Paul, I'll look into this.