J.T.: Functional performance specification with stochastic probes

Abstract. In this paper, we introduce FPS, a mechanism to define performance measures for stochastic process algebra models. FPS is a functional performance specification language which describes passagetime, transient, steady-state and continuous state space performance questions. We present a generalisation of stochastic probes, a formalismindependent specification of behaviour in stochastic process algebra models. Stochastic probes select the performance-critical paths for which the measures are required; increasing their expressiveness in turn gives us greater expressive power to represent performance questions. We end by demonstrating these tools on an RSS syndication architecture of up to 1.5 × 10 51 states.