Introspection in System-Level Language Frameworks: Meta-Level vs. Integrated

Reflection and automated introspection of a design in system level design frameworks are seen as necessities for the CAD tools to manipulate the designs within the tools. These features are also useful for debuggers, class and object browsers, design analyzers, composition validation, type checking, compatibility checking, etc. However, the central question is whether such features should be integrated into the language, or if we should build frameworks which feature these capabilities in a meta-layer, leaving the system-level languageintact. In our recent interactions with designers, we have found differing opinions. Especially in the context of SystemC, the temptation to integrate reflective APIs into the language is great, because C++ is expressive, and already has type introspective packages available. In this paper, we analyze this issue and show that (i) it is a better EDA system architecture to implement reflection/introspection at a meta-layer in a design framework (ii) the...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2003
• Where: DATE
• Authors: Frederic Doucet, Sandeep K. Shukla, Rajesh K. Gupta
• Keywords: DATE 2003, Design, Design Framework, Hardware, Level Design Frameworks