Elements: The Basic Building Blocks of a GoldSim Model

Lesson 2, page 3 of 12

Elements The basic building blocks with which a GoldSim model is constructed. Each element represents a feature, pararamer, process or event in the model. are the fundamental building blocks of a GoldSim model, and each type has a particular symbol or graphical image (which you can optionally customize) by which it is represented on the screen. Typically, you give each element a unique name by which it is referenced (e.g., X, Revenue, Rainfall, Discount_Rate). Most elements accepts 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 (which might be a number, equation, or a reference to another element) and produce one or more outputs. A special class of elements (stocks and delays) is critical for generating the dynamics in your models.

There are six general categories of elements in GoldSim:

Input elements	Define the basic inputs to a model.
Stock elements	Compute outputs by numerically integrating the historic value of inputs.
Function elements	Compute outputs based on the current values of inputs.
Event elements	Represent the occurrence and consequences of discrete events in a model (e.g., a storm, a switch is turned on, a deposit is made to a bank account).
Delay elements	Simulate processes that delay continuous or discrete signals and flows.
Result elements	Collect, analyze and display results.

An additional type of element, the Container An element that acts like a “box” or a “folder” into which other elements can be placed. It can be used to create hierarchical models., is used to hierarchically organize other elements.