http://www.mathematik.tu-dortmund.de...rTurek1996.pdf

Nice paper that compares a large number of different codes (FD, FV, FE). Perhaps not state-of-the-art but still mostly valid.

gl hf

Finite Element Vs Finite Difference
 

The simple answer is that we use step functions for the finite difference solution and continuous functions for the finite element solution (the simplest being linear functions). In the end we have the same gross structure of matrix equations and invert the matrix to solve for the dependent variables.

Fem Modelling of Sub duction model by Ansys Software
 

How to create sub duction model in Ansys software or Fem modelling

1) tatasiva, your question is not closely related to the original question of this thread. Therefore, it should either be in a new post, or at least in a thread that is related. Although, I must thank you for digging such an interesting subject!

2) I am very surprised that nobody mentionned that the center of the finite-element method is the multiplication of the unknowns vector by a test function. The introduction of such a test function allows for an integration by parts in the integral form of the equations of conservation.