Generic programming for diagnostic models

A system for compiling a machine operable diagnostic system includes a header unit, a component unit, an effects unit, a test unit, and an instantiation unit. The header unit identifies general properties of a system from a generic description in an electronic format which includes at least one category of a plurality of variations. The component unit identifies a plurality of components of a modeled system from the generic description, and adds and separates the plurality of variations to the plurality of components, and each identified component includes at least one type of failure and a probability of the at least one type of failure. The effects unit identifies from the generic description a plurality of observable effects. The test unit identifies a plurality of tests and test outcomes designed to elicit the observable effects. The instantiation unit constructs a procedural instantiation of the machine operable diagnostic system.