Abstract: A method of building discrete system simulations, comprising a sequential set of questions asked of the author of the system, the inclusion of said questions being dependent upon answers to preceding questions and thus context-sensitive, comprising steps of implementing said sequence in software as an interactive process and skipping any steps that are irrelevant in view of earlier input. The method further comprises steps of providing an engine for a simplified, directed construction in logical top-down order of a model for simulation of a discrete-time system providing an engine for the conversion of a model created by a model-building apparatus to human-readable textual output that uniquely specifies the model.