Computer simulation has developed into a powerful tool for problem solving in a variety of areas, in the sciences as well as in industrial environments. New developments such as parallel simulation techniques will further improve the efficiency of the tool. Decision support systems, either based on mathematical models or on knowledge based expert systems will make computer simulation accessible to more users, and will provide better environments for systems analysis, modeling and simulation. Systems Analysis and Simulation presents the papers accepted for the 3rd International Symposium for Systems Analysis and Simulation held in Berlin (GDR) in September of 1988. The contributions selected for this two-volume set present the state of the art and current trends in computer simulation. Volume I emphasizes the theoretical foundations and the methodology for computer simulation and systems analysis. Volume II presents a variety of applications in fields such as manufacturing, robotics, economics, and biology.

The present volume contains the papers which were accepted for presentation at the 3rd International Symposium for Systems Analysis and Simulation held in Berlin (GDR), September 12-:-16, 1988. It is already a tradition to meet a broad international community of experts in systems analysis, modelling and simulation at this symposium. This fact shows the requirements for a forum of presentation and discussion of new developments and applications of modelling and simulation in systems analysis. To realize the great interest in this field one has to take into consideration the developed role of computer simulation as a powerful tool of problem solving. More and more areas in sciences and production have been investigated by mathematical models and computer' simulation. Biological sciences and social sciences are even by now influenced by this trend. The model use on the computer has been very much improved in decision support systems. Parallel simulation will provide drastic shortening of computing time. Parallel simulation and model based decision support systems are brought in the focus of international activities. Numerical mathematics, systems theory and control sciences provide with algorithms supporting the modelling process itself based on simulation or analytic methods. Such simulation systems equipped with tools for modelling and graphics for representing results are real model support systems. A new important impact comes from artificial intelligence by knowledge processing. Expert systems may help decision making in case of missing mathematical models. Expert systems may also support teaching and using simulation systems.