A system and method for creating design configurations and for controlling the execution of multiple design tools

摘要

A system and method are described for controlling the execution of design tools and for creating design configurations. The system comprises a flow sequencer, a flow map, and a flow configuration object. The flow sequencer controls the execution of design tools in accordance with the flow map and constructs a configuration of its actions in the active flow configuration object. The flow sequencer moves through a flow map executing the actions required by each node of the flow map. At certain nodes the flow sequencer executes design tools. At other nodes the flow sequencer gathers and manipulates data so that a design tool can utilize the data. The configuration is constructed as the nodes of the flow map are executed. The flow sequencer is also capable of analyzing a design to determine whether the data associated with each node is the most current data available. The flow sequencer can identify the nodes where the data is not most current and can re-execute the nodes necessary to update the design. The flow sequencer will execute the minimum number of nodes necessary to update the design. The system also includes a means for debugging a design. At any node the system can stop the execution of the nodes of the flow map and output the current state of the design. The system will then continue executing the nodes from the node at which it stopped the execution of the nodes.