PLASMA-lab: A flexible, distributable statistical model checking library

Abstract

We present PLASMA-lab, a statistical model checking (SMC) library that provides the functionality to create custom statistical model checkers based on arbitrary discrete event modelling languages. PLASMA-lab is written in Java for maximum cross-platform compatibility and has already been incorporated in various performance-critical software and embedded hardware platforms. Users need only implement a few simple methods in a simulator class to take advantage of our efficient SMC algorithms. PLASMA-lab may be instantiated from the command line or from within other software. We have constructed a graphical user interface (GUI) that exposes the functionality of PLASMA-lab and facilitates its use as a standalone application with multiple 'drop-in' modelling languages. The GUI adds the notion of projects and experiments, and implements a simple, practical means of distributing simulations using remote clients. © 2013 Springer-Verlag.