The propagation of high energy laser in the real atmosphere is a complex process involving the mechanism of light propagation, the optical properties of atmosphere and the interaction between laser andatmosphere. To evaluate the propagating performance of high energy laser, it is necessary not only to study the mechanism of laser propagation to establish the mathematical model of high-energy laser propagation in atmosphere, but also to measure and analyze the optical properties of the atmosphere in the actual transmission path. In view of the urgent need of engineering application of high energy laser systems, the methods and development of the evaluation of high energy laser propagating performance in atmosphere are briefly introduced, with emphasis on the discussion of the uncertainty of atmospheric parameter measurement which affects the accuracy of high energy laser propagation in atmosphere. The research methods, the atmospheric parameters and the development trend of evaluation technology, which should be paid more attention to, are suggested.