Performance evaluation of J2EE applications

Simulation techniques for measuring the performance of J2EE applications are described. Simulation models for J2EE systems are generated which utilize one or more simulation components comprising queuing centers. The queuing centers employ logic to emulate J2EE thread models by locking on threads when messages are received by simulation components and waiting to unlock until a response is received from every subsequent component in the system. Additionally, simulation components which correspond to J2EE system components running on java virtual machines employ logic which emulates overhead introduced during memory allocation and garbage collection. The simulation models are also utilized during software development in a continuous performance evaluation process which gives feedback at each software development stage based on simulations run using the models described.