Computer-Simulation Methods

Computer-simulation methods are by now an established tool in many branches of science. The motivations for computer simulations of physical systems are manifold. One of the main motivations is that one eliminates approximations. Usually, to treat a problem analytically (if it can be done at all) one needs to resort to some kind of approximation; for example, a mean-field-type approximation. With a computer simulation we have the ability to study systems not yet tractable with analytical methods. The computer simulation approach allows one to study complex systems and gain insight into their behaviour. Indeed, the complexity can go far beyond the reach of present analytic methods.