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Systems analysis — A computer approach to decision models
Book Reviews Please send books for review to C.B. Tilanus,Eindhoven University of Technology,P.O. Box 513, Eindhoven,Nether° lands
Robert J. THIERAUF An Introductory Approach to Operations Research John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, 1978, £11.25, $20.25 The book is designed for courses at undergraduate level without requiring prior education in calculus, though such is helpful when reading. The material is almost entirely presented through numerical exampies, which should make the book an alternative within economy-oriented business training programs at higher levels than undergraduate, too. The following OR techniques are covered: breakeven analysis, inventory control models, decision theory, decision rrtaking with a variable demand, PERT/Time and PERT/Cost, linear programming methods, transprotation methods, dynamic programming, Marker analysis, queuing models and simulation. Gener,flly, the presentation of this material is at an acceptable or high pedagogical level. Cost components discussions, e.g. within the Break-even Analysis chapter, is thorough and deepening. The PERT techniques is given more extensive space than might be expected. The chapter on Tr . ~ portation Methods is too algorithmic and could ha ~, been replaced by overviews of practical problem sizes for solution with computer. The material on simulation is quite superficial. A valuable asset of the book is the many historical notes, which help to gain reference and overview of the otherwise rather technical text.
Sven-Eric ANDERSSON Scandinavian Airlines system {SA S) Stockholm, Sweden
Claude McMILLAN and Richard F. GONZALES Systems Analysis - A Computer Approach to Decision Models 3rd Edition, RX). Irwin, Homewood, IL, 1973, xiv + 610 pages. The topic of this successful book is computer simulation of systems. In 18 chapters, many different aspects of this field and a variety of approaches to simulation are presented~ based on computer programming, mathematics, and application concepts. Computer programming conc~.pts are dominant in the Chapters 3, 12 and 16 which cgntain introductions to FORTRAN, GPSS and Forrester's Industrial Dynamics. In addition, the functioning of random number generators is presented in Chapter I 0. Mathematical concepts are the frame of Chapter 4 (difference equations and differential equations) and of Chapter 14 (linear equations, matrices, and linear programming). Both areas are discussed in connection with computer programming. Several examples of FORTRAN programs are given. Application areas are the approach to the Chapters 5 and 6 (inventory systems) and 8, 9, and 11 (queuing systems). In both cases, classical theory is followed by simulation. Network analysis (PERT) and forecasting are covered :n Chapter 13. The human behavior is the subject of simulation in Chapter 15. A discussion of'total' systems simulation follows in Chapter 17. General aspects of the process of simulation are outlined in the Chapters 1,2, 7 and 18. The text starts with a discussion of systems and models (t) and the technique of simulation (2). A useful conceptual tool of modelling is the flow graph (7) which is developed in great detail. Many important questions of practical simulation are collected in Chapter 18 on "Experimentation and validation". On the whole, this is a very good text which covers a broad field and presents the subject in such a way that it can be easily understood by the reader. Nevertheless, a modern textbook should to a greater extent deal with the total modelling process from problem recognition through decision making and implementation. The coverage of this book is not that broad. Anyway, this book is an excel!ent text on the technical aspects of systems simulation.
Heiner M(YLLER-MERBA CH Technische Hochschu le, Darmstadt West Germany
© North-HollandPublishingCompany European Journal of Operational Research 3 (1979) 163- 170 163
Robert J. THIERAUF An Introductory Approach to Operations Research John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, 1978, £11.25, $20.25 The book is designed for courses at undergraduate level without requiring prior education in calculus, though such is helpful when reading. The material is almost entirely presented through numerical exampies, which should make the book an alternative within economy-oriented business training programs at higher levels than undergraduate, too. The following OR techniques are covered: breakeven analysis, inventory control models, decision theory, decision rrtaking with a variable demand, PERT/Time and PERT/Cost, linear programming methods, transprotation methods, dynamic programming, Marker analysis, queuing models and simulation. Gener,flly, the presentation of this material is at an acceptable or high pedagogical level. Cost components discussions, e.g. within the Break-even Analysis chapter, is thorough and deepening. The PERT techniques is given more extensive space than might be expected. The chapter on Tr . ~ portation Methods is too algorithmic and could ha ~, been replaced by overviews of practical problem sizes for solution with computer. The material on simulation is quite superficial. A valuable asset of the book is the many historical notes, which help to gain reference and overview of the otherwise rather technical text.
Sven-Eric ANDERSSON Scandinavian Airlines system {SA S) Stockholm, Sweden
Claude McMILLAN and Richard F. GONZALES Systems Analysis - A Computer Approach to Decision Models 3rd Edition, RX). Irwin, Homewood, IL, 1973, xiv + 610 pages. The topic of this successful book is computer simulation of systems. In 18 chapters, many different aspects of this field and a variety of approaches to simulation are presented~ based on computer programming, mathematics, and application concepts. Computer programming conc~.pts are dominant in the Chapters 3, 12 and 16 which cgntain introductions to FORTRAN, GPSS and Forrester's Industrial Dynamics. In addition, the functioning of random number generators is presented in Chapter I 0. Mathematical concepts are the frame of Chapter 4 (difference equations and differential equations) and of Chapter 14 (linear equations, matrices, and linear programming). Both areas are discussed in connection with computer programming. Several examples of FORTRAN programs are given. Application areas are the approach to the Chapters 5 and 6 (inventory systems) and 8, 9, and 11 (queuing systems). In both cases, classical theory is followed by simulation. Network analysis (PERT) and forecasting are covered :n Chapter 13. The human behavior is the subject of simulation in Chapter 15. A discussion of'total' systems simulation follows in Chapter 17. General aspects of the process of simulation are outlined in the Chapters 1,2, 7 and 18. The text starts with a discussion of systems and models (t) and the technique of simulation (2). A useful conceptual tool of modelling is the flow graph (7) which is developed in great detail. Many important questions of practical simulation are collected in Chapter 18 on "Experimentation and validation". On the whole, this is a very good text which covers a broad field and presents the subject in such a way that it can be easily understood by the reader. Nevertheless, a modern textbook should to a greater extent deal with the total modelling process from problem recognition through decision making and implementation. The coverage of this book is not that broad. Anyway, this book is an excel!ent text on the technical aspects of systems simulation.
Heiner M(YLLER-MERBA CH Technische Hochschu le, Darmstadt West Germany
© North-HollandPublishingCompany European Journal of Operational Research 3 (1979) 163- 170 163