fishwick@bikini.cis.ufl.EDU (Paul Fishwick) (08/21/87)
In reference to the question on definitions for qualitative simulation and analysis: the two terms should not be considered identical. If we temporarily drop the adjective 'qualitative' then we have the terms simulation and analysis --- simulation includes analysis of data but also includes the primary area of modeling. On a slightly different note, though, the term 'qualitative simulation' is somewhat difficult to define since ultimately all simulations on digital machinery will be quantitative. Qualitative modeling and simulation in general seem to reflect the need to represent highly abstract models using 'qualitative' terms. These terms are mapped onto the real number space (for instance) and a quantitative simulation ensues. Paul Fishwick University of Florida