Modelling and simulation method

A program code storage device, comprising:

• a machine-readable storage medium;
• and
• machine-readable program code, stored on the machine-readable storage medium, the machine readable program code having instructions, which when executed cause a computer to:
• model behaviour of said first and second components using first and second functional specifications;
• simulate behaviour of said first and second components in predetermined circumstances by instantiating at least one first entity within a hierarchy of interrelated entities;
• and
• instantiate at least one further entity in response to the or each instantiated first entity, the or each further entity being selected by a simulation system on the basis of its hierarchical relationship with the at least one first entity.

A program code storage device, comprising:

• a machine-readable storage medium;
• and
• machine-readable program code, stored on the machine-readable storage medium, the machine readable program code having instructions, which when executed cause a computer to:
• store a plurality of models each representing a component of the system, storing status information for each model;
• generate a plurality of events affecting the status of at least one model, simulating behaviour of the system by processing said events;
• and
• outputting data from said simulation to a user by means of a user interface,
• wherein the user interface is modelled by the simulation system as a further component of the system, and said user interface is updated by processing said events.

A program code storage device, comprising:

• a machine-readable storage medium;
• and
• machine-readable program code, stored on the machine-readable storage medium, the machine readable program code having instructions, which when executed cause a computer to:
• processing each sub-data structure in a predetermined order, said processing comprising, for each sub-data structure, processing each event in the sub-data structure, and traversing the sub-data structure until no events exist which have associated with them a predetermined time and a respective category;
• and
• traversing said data structure until no events exist which have associated with them the predetermined time,
• wherein a data structure is established containing details of all events occurring at the predetermined time, said data structure includes details of a plurality of sub data structures, each of said sub-data structures containing details of events having a respective category and occurring at the predetermined time.