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Products/FAQ CSIM FAQ

1. What is CSIM?

CSIM is a toolkit for use with C, C++, or Java programs to create process-oriented, discrete-event simulation models of complex systems. CSIM is distributed in the form of an object module library together with C, C++, or Java header files and example files.

2. What platforms are supported?

CSIM 20 for C & C++

  • Microsoft Windows (NT, 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7)
    • MS Visual C/C++ version 6 (32 bit)
    • MS Visual Studio 2005 (32 bit)
    • MS Visual Studio 2008 (32 and 64 bit)
    • MS Visual Studio 2008 Express (32 bit)
    • Cygwin (32 bit - gcc/g++)
  • Mac OS X - Intel
    • gcc/g++ (32 and 64 bit)
    • Note: Please contact Mesquite if you need CSIM for PPC.
  • Solaris 86 - both SPARC and x86
    • gcc/g++ (32 and 64 bit)
    • Sun Studio C/C++ (32 and 64 bit)
  • Linux (any version)
    • gcc and g++ (32 and 64 bit)

CSIM for Java
  • CSIM for Java runs on any system with Java and a JVM installed; Java development kit (jdk) 1.4.1 or higher is required.

3. What is the pricing?

The single use Professional License fee for the first library for a single platform with either Java or both C and C++ languages is $1195, with discounts for multiple seats. Developer, Site, and Educational Licenses are also available. You can view the full price list here.

4. What are the licensing terms?

CSIM is licensed under the terms of a single-user license. Runtime licenses are also available if you need to distribute software that contains the CSIM library.

5. Where did CSIM come from?

CSIM was developed at MCC, starting in 1984, as part of the parallel processing and database machine projects. It was patterned after ASPOL, developed by MacDougall at CDC. Starting in 1986, in response to numerous inquiries, MCC initiated a program of selling CSIM to any organization that requested it. Starting in 1994, Mesquite Software obtained a license from MCC to market, support and enhance CSIM. Since then, over 1500 licenses have been sent to over 650 different customer sites worldwide.

6. What do people do with CSIM?

They build simulation models of systems. Some common uses for CSIM include:

  • Aerospace and defense system modeling to determine likely outcomes based on large numbers of statistically occurring events
  • Evaluate and simulate performance of new components such as chipsets, network switches, and architectures
  • Assess hardware and software configurations & design for computer systems (performance and optimization)
  • Determine the most cost-effective inventory ordering policies; predict supply chain bottlenecks and disruptions
  • Design communication systems and their components; determine amount of infrastructure needed to support given number of users
  • Determine bottlenecks in a manufacturing process so that streamlined system can be built; model failure rates to determine number and configuration of testers required
  • Find the optimal number of customer service agents and incoming phone lines required to deliver a given level of service, or the configuration and number of checkers in a store line

7. Has CSIM been used in education settings?

Most definitely. It has been used both in classroom use (supporting courses and topics in simulation) and in many research projects. There is a special license for CSIM for educational use, as well as a student version.

8. How do I get technical support?

CSIM is supported by Mesquite Software. Inquiries and problems are handled via telephone, fax, or e-mail. Basic support, which includes installation and bug-fix support by e-mail, is free for one year with license purchase. An Extended Support Agreement, which covers unlimited phone, fax, and email support, bug-fix updates, and feature enhancement upgrades at a 50% discount of published price, is also available.

9. What are the limitations?

CSIM is written to handle large models efficiently and has no inherent limitations. It excels and simulating large and complex systems; models with several thousand active processes and resources have been developed and used. The most commonly-encountered limitation stems from a lack of main memory on the computer.

10. What sets CSIM apart from other simulation packages?

a. Models are built in standard, well-known programming languages (C, C++, and Java).
b. CSIM is supported on a wide variety of platforms.
c. There are almost no restrictions on the models, in terms of complexity, size and paradigm.
d. CSIM can be easily embedded in other applications, and CSIM models can use previously existing code.
e. CSIM is attractively priced.

11. What is the future of CSIM?

Mesquite Software is committed to marketing and supporting CSIM. In addition, there will be successors, with new features and capabilities.

12. What about getting pre-built models?

Good question. Right now, there is no mechanism in place to collect or develop models that could be distributed to other users, although we now feature existing applications in our Examples and User Stories sections. Suggestions are welcome.

13. What documentation is available?

Each order is accompanied by a PDF of the CSIM 20 User's Guide, and a manual entitled Getting Started along with an installation guide for the platform. Hardcopy manuals can be requested for a nominal fee. There are different versions of these for the C, C++, and Java versions. All manuals are available here on our website as well.