An apparatus for performing a distributed algorithm on a distributed system that comprises a plurality of components coupled together by a communication medium, comprises a user interface for permitting a user to enter a distributed algorithm specification that includes a time scale and tasks the components are to perform at specified times in the time scale; and a processor, coupled to receive the user-entered distributed algorithm specification and coupled to the distributed system on which the distributed algorithm is to be performed. The processor includes (i) a task generator for generating tasks for the respective components to perform according to a predetermined time line, and (ii) a distributor for distributing the tasks to the respective distributed system components. The respective distributed system components perform the distributed algorithm according to the distributed algorithm specification by (i) executing the respective tasks and (ii) communicating with each other over the communication medium.