ABSTRACT
In previous chapters, we have highlighted the parameters for the performance evalu-
ation of various components and architectural features of computer systems. Perform-
ance evaluation and estimate are necessary either for acquiring a new system or for
evaluating the enhancements made (or to be made) to an existing system. Ideally, it is
best to develop the target application on the system to be evaluated to determine its
performance. The next best thing to do is to simulate the target application on an existing system. In practice, thesemodes of evaluation are not always possible andmay
prove to be not cost effective. As such, analytical methods of evaluating performance
and determining costs are necessary. As the systems get complex, the analytical
methods become unwieldy. Benchmarking is used in practice to evaluate complex
systems. This chapter introduces the most common analytical techniques and bench-
marking. It also provides a brief introduction to program optimization techniques.
