Object-oriented programming; Reflective simulation; SIMULA; Applications; Decision making

This paper provides both the theory and applications of reflective simulation, i.e. simulation of systems containing an element (mostly a computer) that carries an internal simulation model of the system and, therefore, is possible to anticipate the system behavior in the future. The reason of the anticipation is to judge consequences of instantaneous decisions concerning the system development and make changes in the decisions in order to lead the system almost continuously to a certain target. The internal simulation model is very close to the external one, but it is not identical in it. The reflective simulation carries certain obstacles, but the obstacles can be effectively solved using the SIMULA language. Some applications of reflective simulation are also presented. All the applications illustrate that the reflective simulation represents an efficient tool for a short-time decision making.