September 1989 - SIMULATION AND MODELING


FEATURES

AUTOROUTING WITH THE A* ALGORITHM

by Randy Nevin
Finding the best of all possible solutions can be made easier with AI-based search algorithms. Randy looks at the A* algorithm -- and discusses how it can be used to simulate a printed circuit board layout.

SIMULATED ANNEALING

by Michael P. McLaughlin
Simulated annealing is most often used by VLSI chip designers to determine the optimum arrangement of thousands of circuits. But, as Michael shows here, it has other applications as well.

FORCE-BASED SIMULATIONS

by Todd King
The argument can be made that object-oriented language provide the most efficient way of modeling the real world. Todd states his case, as he uses C++ to build a simulation system that mimics the force of one planet on another.

SETTING PRECEDENCE

by Mark C. Peterson
Using precedence trees makes it possible to create ordered, binary trees that have a single configuration for a given set of numbers. What all this leads to, says Mark, is more efficient programs.

ROLL YOUR OWN MINILANGUAGES WITH MINI-INTERPRETERS

by Michael Abrash and Dan Illowsky
Mini-interpreters can do lots of work within a small space, even letting you create your own customized minilanguage. Michael and Dan discuss the pros and cons of mini-interpreters, then give you the tools to roll your own.

80386 PROTECTED MODE AND MULTITASKING

by Tom Green
In this article, Tom presents a set of tools that let you take advantage of the 80386's built-in memory protection and hardware-supported multitasking capabilities.

EXAMINING ROOM

WATCOM C7.0

by John M. Dlugosz
Watcom got good reviews when DDJ looked at it last year. In this issue, John examines how its latest incarnation measures up.

COLUMNS

PROGRAMMING PARADIGMS

by Michael Swaine
Nobody knows the trouble Michael knows as he continues his discussion of neural nets and his talks with Hal Hardenbergh.

C PROGRAMMING

by Al Stevens
Al is still intrigued

by C++ and its potentials. To test his new-found knowledge and skills, Al uses C++ to build pop-up windows and menus.

STRUCTURED PROGRAMMING

by Jeff Duntemann
The rapid acceptance of objects in the world of Pascal convinces Jeff that Pascal programming may never be the same again. He then strays off into the world of REXX programming, with a look at Personal REXX.

DEPARTMENTS

EDITORIAL

by Jonathan Erickson

LETTERS

by you

SWAINE'S FLAMES

by Michael Swaine

OF INTEREST

compiled by Janna Custer


Copyright © 1989, Dr. Dobb's Journal