Computer Simulation: A Tool to Teach Queuing Theory

Abstract

This paper presents computer simulation as a technique for teaching queuing theory. Discussion is limited to the single-server, first-in first-out, poisson arrivals, exponential service time queuing model. Four phases are used in the presentation, the definition phase, the flowcharting phase, the derivation and programming phase, and the reporting phase. The first three phases teach students the basic concepts of queuing theory and permit them to examine what is occurring inside the queuing model. The last phase, the reporting phase, is used to reinforce the concepts of queuing theory and to illustrate the differences and similarities between analytical solutions and computer simulation solutions to queuing models.