GoldSim Elements

The GoldSim simulation environment is highly-graphical and completely object-oriented. That is, you create, document, and present models by creating and manipulating graphical objects representing data and relationships between the data.

In a sense, GoldSim is like a "visual spreadsheet" allowing you to visually create and manipulate data and equations. As can be seen in the simple example shown above, based on how the various objects in your model are related, GoldSim automatically indicates their influences and interdependencies by visually connecting them in an appropriate manner. GoldSim also sets up and solves the equations represented by the objects and their interdependencies.

The various objects with which a GoldSim model is constructed are referred to as elements Objects that represent basic building blocks of a GoldSim model.. Each element represents a building block of the model, and has a particular symbol or graphical image (which you can subsequently customize) by which it is represented on the screen. Typically, each element will have a unique name by which it is referenced (e.g., X, Revenue, Rainfall, Discount_Rate). Most elements accept inputs, and in turn produce outputs.

GoldSim provides a wide variety of elements. Some of these elements provide a mechanism for the user to enter input data into the model. Other elements represent functions which operate on one or more inputs and produce one or more outputs.

GoldSim models are built by connecting the outputs of one (or more) elements to the inputs of other elements. These connections are referred to as links Connections between two elements created by making the output of one element the input to another.:

A complex GoldSim model can have hundreds (or thousands) of elements and links.