System and method for simulating branching behavior

A method comprising:

• capturing, using a processor of a computing device, a first simulation state during a simulation of a model;
• capturing a second simulation state during the simulation;
• establishing a directed relationship between the first simulation state and the second simulation state, the directed relationship describing:
• a change of the first simulation state into the second simulation state, or a change of the second simulation state into the first simulation state;
• storing at least a portion of the first simulation state, at least a portion of the second simulation state, and information based on the directed relationship;
• and
• deriving a third simulation state of the model, the deriving comprising:
• using the directed relationship to determine the third simulation state, wherein:
• the third simulation state represents a state of the model that occurs between the first simulation state and the second simulation state.

A non-transitory electronic device readable storage medium storing instructions, the instructions comprising:

• instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:
• capture a first simulation state during a simulation of a model;
• identify that continued simulation of the model from the first simulation state may follow a first pattern of behavior and a second pattern of behavior;
• simulate the model from the first simulation state according to the first pattern of behavior to arrive at a second simulation state of the model;
• simulate the model from the first simulation state according to the second pattern of behavior to arrive at a third simulation state of the model;
• establish a first directed relationship between the first simulation state and the second simulation state, the directed relationship representing a change of a state of the model from the first simulation state to the second simulation state or a change of the state of the model from the second simulation state to the first simulation state;
• establish a second directed relationship between the first simulation state and the third simulation state, the directed relationship representing a change of the state of the model from the first simulation state to the third simulation state or a change of the state of the model from the third simulation state to the first simulation state;
• and
• store information allowing at least the first simulation state to be restored.

A system comprising:

• a storage for storing a model of a system;
• and
• a processor for:
• capturing a first simulation state during a simulation of the model;
• identifying that continued simulation of the model from the first simulation state may follow a first pattern of behavior and a second pattern of behavior;
• simulating the model from the first simulation state according to the first pattern of behavior to arrive at a second simulation state of the model;
• simulating the model from the first simulation state according to the second pattern of behavior to arrive at a third simulation state of the model;
• establishing a first directed relationship between the first simulation state and the second simulation state, the directed relationship representing a change of a state of the model from the first simulation state to the second simulation state or a change of the state of the model from the second simulation state to the first simulation state;
• establishing a second directed relationship between the first simulation state of the model and the third simulation state of the model, the directed relationship representing a change of the state of the model from the first simulation state to the third simulation state or a change of the state of the model from the third simulation state to the first simulation state;
• and
• storing information allowing at least the first simulation state to be restored.