Dynamic simulation of multi-body systems on Internet using CORBA, Java']Java and XML

In this paper a prototype of a computer program for multi-body simulation based on the use of CORBA, Java and XML is presented. This prototype makes use of a recursive dynamic formalism which outperforms many implementations based on global formulations. The prototype presented has been implemented using distributed Object Oriented Programming techniques. The definition of the multi-body system is done through a data file defined using XML (eXtendible Markup Language). This prototype implements a 'simulation service' on a network of computers, following a client-server scheme. This 'simulation service' can operate in two different ways: offering a remote simulation on the server, or providing a Java compiled code for local simulation on the client. The paper describes the practical implementation of such a service. The use of recursive functions and OOP permits the implementation of a general-purpose simulation code, which is compact, clear, clean, re-usable and easy to maintain. Once this Java code is compiled, it is stored in less than 125 Kbytes (including the numerical integrators). The Java programming language is used in order to assure compatibility between different platforms. Finally, practical examples which make use of this approach are shown.