A comparison of performance evaluation process algebra and generalized stochastic Petri nets

Generalized stochastic Petri nets (GSPN) and performance evaluation process algebra (PEPA) can both be used to study qualitative and quantitative behaviour of systems in a single environment. The paper presents a comparison of the two formalisms in terms of the facilities that they provide to the modeller; considering both the definition and the analysis of the performance model. Our goal is to provide a better understanding of both formalisms; and to prepare a fertile ground for exchanging ideas and techniques between the two. To illustrate similarities and differences, we make the different issues more concrete by means of an example modelling resource contention