Object-orientation, Discrete Simulation and the Three-Phase Approach

The three-phase approach provides a simple and robust way to develop discrete computer simulation programs. Object-orientation allows system developers to develop software which can be extended and also makes it impossible for important variables within a software system to be tampered with. This paper shows how the two approaches can be usefully combined and discusses the development of a simulation library, written in C++ and based on these ideas. Limitations of both approaches are also discussed.