Computing in Large-Scale Dynamic Systems

This work was carried out in the ASCI graduate school. ASCI dissertation series number 281. iii The purpose of computing is insight, not numbers.-Richard Hamming iv Acknowledgements When I started my PhD, I knew the road towards the finish would be a difficult and long one. The transformation process I passed through the last four years has been quite remarkable. I learned to be independent and face difficult challenges in both my private and professional life. While sometimes my work was a solitary effort, I had lots of support from people around me as well as the family back home. First, I would like to thank Stefan Dulman-my supervisor, for guiding my steps all along the PhD track. His advice and ideas have helped me publish at a rapid pace. His constant push towards focusing on new and interesting research ideas, has motivated my efforts and kept my interest high for always new and challenging research projects. He was a friend more than a supervisor and that has greatly influenced the way I performed during my PhD. I would also like to thank my promotor, Koen Langendoen for offering me the possibility to conduct research as a PhD candidate at the Embedded Software Group. His down-to-earth attitude towards research has helped me improve the quality of my publications. His guidance with respect to " selling " my work in a comprehen-sible manner is invaluable for my future career. During the past years I have interacted with many BSc and MSc students and worked together on different projects. I would like to thank for their efforts to