JP2009193182A - Software development support system, support method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify the confirmation operation of a program without performing any actual machine tests of the program created based on a block diagram. <P>SOLUTION: Based on a code piece created as a partial source code corresponding to each block of a block diagram defined by a user, a simulation model is created by a simulation model creation function 2, an initial value is set to the input of a block by a simulation initial value setting function 9, the actual value of a block to be simulated is obtained by a simulation model value acquisition function 10, a value obtained from the simulation model and a value obtained from a target block are used, and simulation operation in block units is performed by a simulation model operation function 11. A simulation execution function 7 simulates the entire block diagram. All blocks of branching and loops are simulated by check blocks. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a software development support system and support method, and more particularly to operation confirmation of a program created based on a block diagram as embedded software.

  In embedded software development, a block diagram is created as a design drawing related to computation. Elements of the block diagram include blocks and lines, and these are connected on the drawing to express contents to be realized as software. When mounting based on the design drawing, the mounting is performed manually while the implementer reads design information from the design drawing.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 19, when an embedded device to be developed adds IN1 and IN2 and multiplies the sum by IN3, blocks representing addition and multiplication are arranged from input to output, and a line between the blocks is shown. The operation order is expressed by connecting with. The developer creates a program based on the created block diagram, compiles the created program using a dedicated compiler, and incorporates it into an actual machine to test the operation.

Some applications for creating a block diagram, such as MATLAB / Simulink, output source code based on the block diagram (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1).
MATLAB / Simulink (http://www.cybernet.co.jp/matlab/products/product_listing/simlink/)

  In a conventional application for creating a block diagram as represented by MATLAB / Simulink, a source code is output based on wiring information in the block diagram. However, since embedded software must be realized as a desired program with few resources, the output source code itself is often difficult to use as embedded software.

  For example, the source code output using a general block diagram does not include contents for designating variables (global variables, local variables, etc.) and registers. Therefore, when mounting is performed based on the block diagram, coding work is performed manually. This takes a lot of mounting time. Also, manual coding tends to deviate from the block diagram and implementation.

  As a method to solve such problems, a method to improve development efficiency by automatically creating a program from the code fragment of each block (partial source code corresponding to the block) and the created block diagram The applicant of the present application has proposed at the same time.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 20, code pieces are automatically generated for the arithmetic functions of the blocks constituting the block diagram, and a program is generated according to input / output settings of the code pieces. In this case, for the code fragment of the addition block, $ out corresponds to VAR1 in the block diagram, $ sign1 is "+", $ in1 is IN1, $ sign2 is "+", $ in2 is IN2, and the multiplication block code Since $ out is OUT1, $ in1 is VAR1, and $ in2 is IN3, the program is automatically generated as shown in the lower right of FIG.

  The program developed in this way is compiled using a dedicated compiler, and incorporated into an actual machine to test the operation. When a failure occurs in this test, the developer corrects the failure portion of the block diagram and corrects the program corresponding to the corrected block diagram as shown in FIG. Recompile the modified program and re-install it into the actual machine for testing. Alternatively, the defect portion of the program is corrected first, and the block diagram corresponding to the corrected program is corrected. Recompile the modified program and re-install it into the actual machine for testing.

  The work for correcting both the block diagram and the program requires a lot of work and time as the scale of the development target increases. In addition, it must be corrected while maintaining consistency in both the block diagram and the program, but if you modify the block diagram, you forget to modify the program, or even if you modify the program, you forget to modify the block diagram. Sometimes. This causes problems such as an error occurring when the next similar part is changed or corrected.

  In a system that automatically generates a program, the program can be re-generated automatically by correcting the block diagram, and it can be re-installed in the actual machine for testing, and the developer only needs to correct the block diagram. There is no need to make corrections. However, recompilation and testing with a real machine still require time and effort.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a software development support system, a support method, and a program that make it easy to check the operation of a program without performing an actual machine test of the program created based on the block diagram.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is characterized by the following system, method and program.

(Invention of the system)
(1) A software development support system in which an arbitrary information processing function that a user intends to incorporate as software is defined as a block diagram, and a program corresponding to the defined block diagram is automatically generated.
A simulation apparatus that performs the operation check of the program by simulation,
Simulation model creating means for creating a simulation model based on a code fragment created as a partial source code corresponding to each block constituting the block diagram;
Simulation initial value setting means for setting an initial value to the input of the simulation target block;
Simulation model value acquisition means for acquiring an actual value of the simulation target block;
A simulation model calculation means for performing a simulation calculation using the value acquired from the simulation model and the value acquired from the simulation target block;
Calculation result display means for displaying the simulation calculation result on the external display device for operation confirmation;
It is provided with.

(2) When creating the simulation model, a calculation target associating means for associating a simulation model as a calculation target with an operator model, and a block diagram information associating means for associating actual information of a block diagram with an operand model;
A check block creation means for creating a check block for checking a current value to be input according to a specified condition;
Check block association means for associating the check block with a connection line between blocks in the block diagram;
Simulation initial value setting means for setting an initial value to the entire input of the simulation model including the check block;
Simulation model execution means for sequentially executing simulations according to the connection of the lines of the block diagram of the simulation model in which the initial values are set;
A check result display means for displaying the result of checking the check block under a condition specifying the current value on the external display device for operation confirmation;
It is provided with.

(3) Breakpoint check block creation means for creating a breakpoint check block in the simulation model;
Simulation suspension means for temporarily suspending simulation execution at the breakpoint check block;
Breakpoint highlighting means for highlighting the paused breakpoint check block;
Simulation model value display means for displaying the current value of the simulation model when the suspension is in progress;
Simulation restarting means for restarting the simulation when the suspension is in progress;
It is provided with.

(4) For all the blocks in the block diagram, comprising all block simulation model creation means for creating a simulation model at once,
The simulation model execution means includes means for performing line-by-line simulation on a simulation model corresponding to a single line block diagram in which each block is connected by a single line among all block diagrams in which the simulation model is created. Features.

(5) A check block for passage for confirming passage between blocks in the block diagram is created, and this check block for passage is arranged for all lines in the block diagram including branches or loops. Creating means;
When performing simulation by the simulation execution means, check presence / absence switching means for switching presence / absence check of the passing check block;
There is provided a non-check highlighting means for highlighting a check block for passage in which the presence / absence of the check is “none”.

(Invention of method)
(6) A software development support method in which an arbitrary information processing function that a user intends to incorporate as software is defined as a block diagram, and a program corresponding to the defined block diagram is automatically generated,
A simulation apparatus that performs the operation check of the program by simulation,
A simulation model creating step of creating a simulation model based on a code fragment created as a partial source code corresponding to each block constituting the block diagram;
A simulation initial value setting step for setting an initial value to an input of a simulation target block;
A simulation model value acquisition step of acquiring an actual value of the simulation target block;
A simulation model calculation step of performing a simulation calculation using the value acquired from the simulation model and the value acquired from the simulation target block;
A calculation result display step for displaying the simulation calculation result on the external display device for operation confirmation;
It is provided with.

(7) When creating the simulation model, an operation target associating step for associating a simulation model to be operated with an operator model, and a block diagram information associating step for associating actual information of a block diagram with an operand model;
A check block creation step for creating a check block for checking a current value to be input according to a specified condition;
Associating the check block with a connection line between blocks in the block diagram;
A simulation initial value setting step for setting an initial value to the entire input of the simulation model including the check block;
A simulation model execution step for sequentially executing simulations according to the connection of lines in the block diagram of the simulation model in which the initial values are set;
A check result display step in which the check block displays a result of checking under a condition in which a current value is specified for operation confirmation on an external display device;
It is provided with.

(8) a breakpoint check block creating step for creating a breakpoint check block in the simulation model;
A simulation pausing step for pausing simulation execution at the breakpoint check block;
A breakpoint highlighting step for highlighting the paused breakpoint check block;
A simulation model value display step for displaying a current value of the simulation model when the suspension is in progress;
A simulation resuming step of resuming a simulation when the pausing is performed;
It is provided with.

(9) An all-block simulation model creation step for creating a simulation model at once for all the blocks in the block diagram;
The simulation model execution step includes a step of performing line-by-line simulation on a simulation model corresponding to a single line block diagram in which each block is connected by a single line among all block diagrams in which the simulation model is created. Features.

(10) A passing check block for creating a passing check block for confirming passage between blocks in the block diagram, and arranging this passing check block for all lines in the block diagram including a branch or loop Creation steps,
When performing a simulation by the simulation execution step, a check presence / absence switching step of switching the presence / absence of the check block for passing,
There is a non-check highlighting step of highlighting a passing check block in which the presence / absence of the check is “None”.

(Invention of the program)
(11) The processing steps in the software development support method described in the above (6) to (10) are configured to be executed by a computer.

  As described above, according to the present invention, an arbitrary information processing function that a user intends to incorporate as software is defined as a block diagram, and the operation check of the defined block diagram performs simulation of a single block or the whole, Since the operation is confirmed from the simulation result, the operation of the program can be easily confirmed without performing an actual machine test of the program created based on the block diagram.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a simulation apparatus showing the present embodiment, and each function is realized by software using a computer and its resources.

  Each function includes a block database 1 for storing individually generated code pieces for each block diagram constituting the embedded software, and a simulation model for generating a simulation model of an operator model and an operand model configuration from the code pieces stored in the database. A creation function 2; a computation object association function 3 for associating a simulation model to be computed with an operator model in a simulation model; and a block diagram information association function 4 for associating actual information of a block diagram with an operand model among simulation models. A simulation model storage function 6 for storing the created simulation model in the database 5 is provided.

  The simulation model execution function 7 executes a simulation for the simulation model created by the simulation model creation function 2 or the simulation model acquired by the acquisition function 8 from the simulation model database 5. As will be described later, this simulation is used to check the normal / abnormality of a series of operations for a program having a single function by connecting a large number of blocks.

  A simulation for checking the operation of a program corresponding to a single block is executed by functions 9-15. Each of these functions includes a simulation initial value setting function 9 for setting an initial value for an input of a simulation target block obtained by the simulation model acquisition function 8 from the simulation model database 5 and a block database 1 for the obtained simulation target block alone. A simulation model value acquisition function 10 for acquiring an actual value, a simulation model calculation function 11 for performing a simulation calculation using a value acquired from the simulation model and a value acquired from a calculation target, and a simulation calculation result in the calculation result database 12 A simulation model calculation result storage function 13 for saving, a calculation result acquisition function 14 for acquiring part or all of the calculation results from the calculation result database 12, and the acquired calculation results Part display device composed of a calculation result display function 15 to be displayed on (a display, etc.).

  The simulation of a single block by the above functions will be described in detail. First, the simulation model creation function 2 creates a simulation model from a code piece of a single block stored in the block database 1. As shown in FIG. 2, this model is divided into an operator model that represents an operator such as a symbol that indicates the content of an operation, and an operand model that represents an operand such as a value or variable to be operated.

  The operator model corresponds to, for example, the = (equal) operator representing substitution and the + (plus) operator representing addition in the code piece of the addition block in FIG. There may be operator models other than these. For example, the operand model corresponds to a variable name of $ in1 or $ in2 in the code fragment of the addition block in FIG. There may be other operand models.

  Together with the operator model and the operand model, the simulation model creation function 2 creates a simulation model in the form of a tree with the operator at the center, as shown in FIG.

  The operation target association function 3 associates other operator models or operand models related to the operator model. For example, in the addition block of FIG. 2, an = (equal) operator representing substitution is placed at the top of the tree of the simulation model, and the left side “$ out operand” to be substituted and the calculation result of the right side to be substituted “+ ( Associate a “plus) operator”. The + (plus) operator representing addition associates the left side “$ in1 operand” to be added with the right side “$ in2 operand” to be added, and “$ in1 operand” and “$ in2 operand” respectively represent signs. The “sign1 operand” is associated with the “$ sign2 operand”.

  Further, the block diagram information associating function 4 associates operands beginning with “$” among the operands with actual information (variables, codes, etc.) in the block diagram. For example, in the addition block of FIG. 2, $ out is associated with OUT1, $ in1 is associated with IN1, $ in2 is associated with IN2, $ sign1 is associated with "+", and $ sign2 is associated with "+".

  The simulation model creation function 2 creates a simulation model of a single block for each line of code pieces, and the simulation model storage function 6 stores the simulation models for all statements in the database 5 in order. For example, in the addition / subtraction block of FIG. 3, first, a simulation model is created with a tree in the first line “var = $ in1 + $ in2”, and then a simulation model is created with a tree in the second line “out = var− $ in3”. They are created and stored in the database 5 in order.

  The simulation model calculation function 11 executes a simulation of the simulation model of the single block created above. In this simulation, the initial value of the simulation model acquired from the database 5 by the simulation model acquisition function 8 is set by the simulation model initial value setting function 9. On the other hand, the simulation model value acquisition function 10 acquires a value from the associated operator model or operand model. The simulation model calculation function 11 performs a simulation calculation for a single block from the simulation model initial value and the operand model value. This calculation result is stored in the calculation result database 12 by the simulation model calculation result storage function 13.

  In the simulation of the simulation model shown in FIG. 4, initial values are set for the inputs IN1 and IN2 of the addition block to be simulated (S1), and the “= (equal) operator” at the top of the simulation model tree is “ The calculation result is acquired from “+ operator” (S2). The “+ operator” acquires the values of the $ in1 operand on the left side and the $ in2 operand on the right side (S3), calculates the sum of these acquired values (S4), and stores the calculation result in the conversion result database 12 ( S5).

  “= Operator” acquires and substitutes the calculation result of “+ (plus) operator” on the right side into the value OUT1 on the left side (S6), and “$ out operand” stores the substitution value in the calculation result database 12. (S7). At this time, the “+ operator” adds the value IN1 (plus) on the left side and the value IN2 (plus) on the right side, and stores the sum of the computation results IN1 and IN2 in the computation result database 12.

  Similarly, an operation is performed on the operation of another simulation model (block unit). These calculation results are acquired from the calculation result database 12 by the calculation result acquisition function 14 and displayed by the calculation result display function 15. The calculation result may be displayed as a character string as it is, or the calculation result may be displayed as a graph.

  Therefore, the operation of the block can be confirmed by executing the simulation model in which the input is set to the created single block or the entire program and the calculation result is obtained by the function 7 or 11. In particular, for a single block, the developer can check the operation individually at the stage of creating the block diagram, and if the operation is abnormal, the block diagram or program can be modified. Eliminates the time and effort required for recompilation and testing with actual equipment.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the simulation apparatus showing the present embodiment, which enables simulation with an operation check function using a check block. Note that each block diagram will be described in a simple case with no branches or loops.

  A functional configuration different from that in FIG. 1 will be described. The user-defined block creation device 21 automatically creates a code fragment for a block diagram defined by the user. With respect to the block diagram sequentially created by the device 21, the check block creation function 22 creates a check block to be checked under the condition that the current value is designated, and the check block association function 23 associates the created check block with a line in the block diagram. . The check blocks and association information by these functions 22 and 23 are written together with the blocks stored in the block database 1. Further, the association information by the function 23 is written together with the model creation by the simulation model creation function 2.

  Functions 1 to 9 simulate the entire block diagram as in the first embodiment. Among these, the simulation initial value setting function 9 sets an initial value for each block alone in the simulation model of the entire block diagram. The simulation model execution function 7 sequentially executes simulations of the simulation model in accordance with the connection of the lines in the block diagram from the input of the entire block diagram.

  Next, the value storage function 24 extracts the check block written together with the model acquired by the simulation model acquisition function 8 and stores the current value of the line associated with this check block in the value database 25. . The value acquisition function 26 acquires a part or all of the values from the value data pace 25, and the check result storage function 27 stores the result checked by the check block under the condition specifying the current value in the check result database 28. The check result acquisition function 29 acquires part or all of the check results from the check result database 28, and the check result display function 30 displays the acquired check results on an external display device (display or the like).

  The check block in the simulation of the entire block by each of the additional functions will be described in detail.

  First, create a check block. When a block is created by the user-defined block creation device 21, the developer checks the value on the line of the block diagram at present and checks whether the value matches the condition specified by the developer. Prepare.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the check condition is to check whether the current value exceeds the specified upper limit in the upper limit check, and the current value is in the specified range in the range check. Check if it is. The check block may be other than these. The developer places the check block on the line of the block diagram whose value is to be checked by executing the check block creation function 22, and associates the line and the check block by executing the check block association function 23.

  Similar to the first embodiment, the simulation model creation function 2 creates a simulation model from the code pieces stored in the database 1 and the connection information of the block diagram. In this model creation, a simulation model is created in a tree format together with an operand model representing an operand based on an operator model representing an operator. The difference from the first embodiment is that a simulation model is created by following a line from the input to the output of the block diagram. For example, in the case of FIG. 7, since there are blocks in the order of input, addition block, multiplication block, and output, the simulation model is created in the order of the simulation model of the addition block and the simulation model of the multiplication block.

  The execution of the simulation model by the function 7 is performed on the model to which the initial value is input by the simulation model initial value setting function 9. In the check block, the value storage function 24 acquires the current value from the line associated on the model, and stores the value in the value database 25. Further, the check result storage function 27 stores the check result (for example, normality, error, warning, etc.) in the check result database 28. From the outside, a part or all of the values in the value database 25 are acquired by the value acquisition function 26, and a part or all of the values of the check result database 28 are acquired by the check result acquisition function 29.

  For example, when check blocks C11 and C12 are added to the block configuration shown in FIG. 8, the check block C11 acquires the value VAR1 from the associated line (S11), and this value satisfies the check condition. It is checked whether or not (S12), and the check result is stored in the database 29 (S13). Similarly, the check block C12 acquires the value OUT1 from the associated line (S14), and checks and stores this value (S15, S16).

  The above check block addition and its check processing are repeatedly executed during simulation for all simulation models, and the check result is displayed by the check result display function. The check result may be displayed as a character string as it is, or the check result may be displayed in a graph or table format.

  Therefore, by setting the check block in the block diagram and executing the simulation model sequentially, it is easy to check the operation from the value of the check block part set in the single block, and further check the operation in the simulation of the entire block diagram Work becomes easy.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a main part of the simulation apparatus showing the present embodiment, and enables a simulation in which breakpoints are set in the simulation of the entire block diagram. Note that each block diagram will be described in a simple case with no branches or loops.

  The breakpoint check block creation function 31 writes a breakpoint check block in the block diagram in order to temporarily stop the execution of the simulation at a specific position. The breakpoint check block is arranged at a position where simulation execution is to be paused at a specific position during simulation execution.

  The simulation pause function 32 temporarily stops the simulation by extracting the breakpoint check block when the execution function 7 executes the simulation of the simulation model in which the breakpoint check block is written. In this temporary stop, the breakpoint highlighting function 33 highlights the stopped breakpoint check block, for example, by flickering. The highlighting method may be a mark other than flicker.

  Furthermore, the simulation model value display function 34 displays the current value on, for example, a tool hint. The display method of the current value may be displayed on a block diagram in addition to the tool hint.

  In response to these displays, the simulation resuming function 35, when the developer gives an instruction to resume (for example, pressing a resuming button, selecting a resuming menu, etc.) breaks that temporarily stop execution of the simulation. Resume from the point check block.

  For example, when breakpoint check blocks C21 and C22 are added to the block configuration shown in FIG. 10, the simulation model of the addition block is simulated (S21), and when the breakpoint check block C21 is reached, there is The simulation execution is paused, the breakpoint check block C21 is highlighted (S22), and the simulation model storing the current value in the value database displays the current value (S23). Thereafter, when the user instructs to resume the simulation execution (S24), the simulation is performed on the simulation model of the multiplication block (S25), and when the breakpoint check block C22 is reached, the simulation execution is temporarily stopped and the breakpoint use is performed. The check block C22 is highlighted (S26), and the simulation model storing the current value in the value database displays the current value (S27). Further, when the developer gives an instruction to resume the simulation execution, the simulation execution is terminated because the output OUT1 is reached (S28).

  Therefore, by appropriately arranging the check block for breakpoints, the simulation execution can be temporarily stopped at a specific position and the current value can be confirmed, and the operation confirmation work in the simulation of the entire block diagram is facilitated.

(Embodiment 4)
The present embodiment is a case where the operation of a single-line block diagram in which a plurality of blocks are connected by a single line (not branched or loop-connected) is checked.

  In the first embodiment, a single block operation simulation is possible. That is, for the simulation model created by the simulation model creation function 2, the developer designates an input for each block, executes the simulation of a single block by the simulation model calculation function 11, and further performs the simulation operation for each block. After confirming the above, the simulation of the entire block is executed by the simulation model execution function 7. Further, the calculation result of each block is acquired by the calculation result acquisition function 14 and the calculation result is displayed in the form of a table, for example, by the calculation result display function 15.

  For example, in the case of the single-line block diagram shown in FIG. 11, for all the blocks B1 to B3 on the block diagram, a simulation model is created from the code piece of each block, and the developer inputs in order from the simulation model of the block B1. Specify to specify the simulation. FIG. 12 shows an operation simulation procedure in units of blocks. All blocks on the block diagram are acquired (S31), simulation models are created for the blocks B1 to B3 (S32 to S34), and inputs to these simulation models are input. Set (S35 to S37), obtain the calculation results of each set simulation model (S38 to S40), and finally display the calculation results collectively (S41). FIG. 13 shows a case where the calculation results of each simulation model are displayed in a table format.

  In the above-mentioned block unit simulation, the developer needs to set the input of each block individually, and the work load becomes large when a large number of blocks are configured.

  Therefore, this embodiment uses the fact that each block is connected by a single line in the single line block diagram, and facilitates the operation check of all the blocks by a line unit simulation. For checking the operation of all blocks, an all-block simulation model is created from the code pieces of each block for all the blocks on the block diagram.

  FIG. 14 shows an operation simulation of a single-line block diagram, and a simulation result (output) passing through all connection lines is obtained by performing an operation simulation by setting a value to the input of the first block. That is, a simulation result that passes through all the lines in the block diagram can be obtained by sequentially executing a block-unit operation simulation from the input to the output of the single-line block diagram.

  Therefore, it becomes an operation test in which input setting is simplified for all the blocks of the single-line block diagram.

(Embodiment 5)
This embodiment is a case where the operation of a block diagram in which a plurality of blocks are connected with branches and loops is confirmed.

  FIG. 15 shows an example of a block diagram with branches and loops. The connection line between the blocks B1 and B2 has a branch point and branches to the switch block SW1, and the output line of the block B3 has a branch point. Branching to B4, the output of this block B4 loops to block B2.

  In this block diagram, in the block-unit operation simulation, as in the first embodiment, a simulation model is created from the code pieces of each block for all the blocks on the block diagram (all block simulation model creation function). For this simulation model, the developer designates an input, and sequentially performs an operation simulation using the simulation model execution function. In addition, the calculation result of each simulation model is acquired by the calculation result acquisition function, and the calculation result is displayed in a table format or the like by the calculation result display function.

  For example, in the case of FIG. 15, a simulation model is created from the code pieces of each block for all the blocks B1 to B5 and the switch block SW1 on the block diagram. The developer designates inputs in order from the simulation model of the block B1 and performs an operation simulation. The calculation result of each simulation model is acquired and displayed, for example, in a table format.

  In this case, if there is a switch block (SW1 in FIG. 15) whose operation flow changes depending on conditions in the block diagram, it cannot be confirmed whether all the lines in the block diagram have been passed in the operation simulation from input to output. .

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the simulation apparatus having the main configuration shown in FIG. 16 is used, and the simulation that has passed through all the lines connecting the blocks and the operation check can be performed. In the figure, the simulation apparatus main body 41 has a simulation apparatus configuration equipped with each function shown in FIG. The all block simulation model creation function 42 corresponds to all block simulation model creation means in the fourth embodiment, and creates a simulation model for all blocks including branches and loops.

  As a function to be added to this apparatus, a passing check block creation function 43 creates a passing check block to be arranged on all connection lines between blocks. For example, in the block diagram shown in FIG. 17, check blocks C1 to C10 for passing are arranged. These check blocks for passage have a check presence / absence flag indicating whether or not an arithmetic simulation has been performed. The check presence / absence flag is initialized to “none” before the start of the operation simulation, and is set to “present” by the check presence / absence switching function 44 when the operation simulation is performed. When the switching result by the check presence / absence switching function 44 is “No”, the unchecked highlighting function 45 highlights the check block by flickering it as a check block that has not been simulated. In addition to this, the highlighting method may be changed.

  The passing check block created by the passing check block creating function 43 is associated with all lines in the block diagram by the block diagram information associating function 4 of the apparatus main body 41.

  The simulation processing procedure in the above apparatus configuration is shown in FIG. First, the function 43 creates check blocks for passage for all lines on the block diagram (S41). Next, the function 42 creates a simulation model for all the blocks on the block diagram (S42). Further, the function 44 sets the check presence flag to “none” for all the check blocks for passing (S43), and the simulation model execution function 7 performs the operation simulation for the route where all the check blocks for passing are “no”. Perform (S44). For example, in FIG. 17, a calculation simulation is performed along the route of blocks B1 → B2 → B3.

  After executing this simulation, a simulation model to be executed next is acquired (S45). When there is a simulation to be executed next and the check block is a passing check block, the presence / absence of check for this check block is set to “present” (S46), and the process returns to the acquisition of the simulation model to be executed next. After completion of the calculation simulation, the function 45 checks whether or not all the check blocks for passing are checked. If all checks are “Yes”, all the lines in the block diagram are calculated and simulated. If even one check block is “none”, the line associated with the check block has not been subjected to an operation simulation, and a check block for passing with “no” being checked is highlighted (S47).

  For example, in the case of FIG. 17, pass check blocks C1 to C10 are created for all the lines on the block, and the presence / absence of check is set to unchecked and associated with the line. The developer performs an operation simulation by specifying an initial value as an input of the block diagram. At this time, the presence / absence of checking of the check blocks C1 to C8 for which the simulation is performed is set to “Yes”. In the switch block SW1, when the output result from the block B1 is normal, the abnormal line is not passed, so the passing check blocks C9 and C10 associated with the line are highlighted with flicker or the like.

  Therefore, even in a block diagram with branches and loops, it can be easily confirmed that the entire block diagram has been tested.

The block diagram of the simulation apparatus which shows Embodiment 1 of this invention. Block diagram, code fragment and simulation model relationship diagram. Simulation model of addition / subtraction block. Execution procedure of simulation model. The block diagram of the simulation apparatus which shows Embodiment 2 of this invention. Check block example. Simulation model for addition and multiplication blocks. Check block execution procedure. The principal part block diagram of the simulation apparatus which shows Embodiment 3 of this invention. Breakpoint execution procedure. Example of single line block diagram. Block simulation simulation procedure. An example of a calculation simulation result. Example of operation simulation of single-line block diagram. Example block diagram with branches and loops. The principal part block diagram of the simulation apparatus which shows Embodiment 5 of this invention. An example of a block diagram operation simulation with branches and loops. Calculation simulation procedure for block diagrams with branches and loops. Block diagram example. Block diagram, code fragment and program relationship diagram. Examples of bug fixes.

Explanation of symbols

1 Block Database 2 Simulation Model Creation Function 3 Operation Target Association Function 4 Block Diagram Information Association Function 7 Simulation Model Execution Function 9 Simulation Model Initial Value Setting Function 10 Simulation Model Value Acquisition Function 11 Simulation Model Calculation Function 22 Check Block Creation Function 23 Check Block Association function 24 Value saving function 30 Check result display function 31 Breakpoint check block creation function 33 Breakpoint highlight display function 43 Check block creation function for passing 44 Check presence / absence switching function 45 No check highlighting function

Claims (11)

A software development support system in which an arbitrary information processing function that a user intends to incorporate as software is defined as a block diagram, and a program corresponding to the defined block diagram is automatically generated,
A simulation apparatus that performs the operation check of the program by simulation,
Simulation model creating means for creating a simulation model based on a code fragment created as a partial source code corresponding to each block constituting the block diagram;
Simulation initial value setting means for setting an initial value to the input of the simulation target block;
Simulation model value acquisition means for acquiring an actual value of the simulation target block;
A simulation model computing means for performing a simulation computation using the value obtained from the simulation model and the value obtained from the simulation target block;
Calculation result display means for displaying the simulation calculation result on the external display device for operation confirmation;
Software development support system characterized by comprising In creating the simulation model, a calculation target associating means for associating a simulation model as a calculation target with an operator model, and a block diagram information associating means for associating actual information of a block diagram with an operand model;
A check block creation means for creating a check block for checking a current value to be input according to a specified condition;
Check block association means for associating the check block with a connection line between blocks in the block diagram;
Simulation initial value setting means for setting an initial value to the entire input of the simulation model including the check block;
Simulation model execution means for sequentially executing simulations according to the connection of lines in the block diagram of the simulation model in which the initial values are set;
A check result display means for displaying the result of checking the check block under a condition specifying the current value on the external display device for operation confirmation;
The software development support system according to claim 1, further comprising: Breakpoint check block creating means for creating a breakpoint check block in the simulation model;
Simulation suspension means for temporarily suspending simulation execution at the breakpoint check block;
Breakpoint highlighting means for highlighting the paused breakpoint check block;
Simulation model value display means for displaying the current value of the simulation model when the suspension is in progress;
Simulation restarting means for restarting the simulation when the suspension is in progress;
The software development support system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: For all the blocks in the block diagram, comprising all block simulation model creation means for creating a simulation model at once,
The simulation model execution means includes means for performing line-by-line simulation on a simulation model corresponding to a single line block diagram in which each block is connected by a single line among all block diagrams in which the simulation model is created. The software development support system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A passing check block creating means for creating a passing check block for confirming passage between blocks in the block diagram and arranging the passing check block for all lines in the block diagram including a branch or loop; ,
When performing simulation by the simulation execution means, check presence / absence switching means for switching presence / absence check of the passing check block;
5. The software development support system according to claim 1, further comprising: a check-unemphasized display unit that highlights a check block for passing in which the presence / absence of the check is “none”. A software development support method in which an arbitrary information processing function that a user intends to incorporate as software is defined as a block diagram, and a program corresponding to the defined block diagram is automatically generated,
A simulation apparatus that performs the operation check of the program by simulation,
A simulation model creating step of creating a simulation model based on a code fragment created as a partial source code corresponding to each block constituting the block diagram;
A simulation initial value setting step for setting an initial value to an input of a simulation target block;
A simulation model value acquisition step of acquiring an actual value of the simulation target block;
A simulation model calculation step of performing a simulation calculation using the value acquired from the simulation model and the value acquired from the simulation target block;
A calculation result display step for displaying the simulation calculation result on the external display device for operation confirmation;
A software development support method characterized by comprising: In creating the simulation model, an operation target associating step for associating a simulation model to be operated with an operator model, and a block diagram information associating step for associating actual information of a block diagram with an operand model;
A check block creation step for creating a check block for checking a current value to be input according to a specified condition;
Associating the check block with a connection line between blocks in the block diagram;
A simulation initial value setting step for setting an initial value to the entire input of the simulation model including the check block;
A simulation model execution step for sequentially executing simulations according to the connection of lines in the block diagram of the simulation model in which the initial values are set;
A check result display step in which the check block displays a result of checking under a condition in which a current value is specified for operation confirmation on an external display device;
The software development support method according to claim 6, further comprising: A breakpoint check block creating step for creating a breakpoint check block in the simulation model;
A simulation pausing step for pausing simulation execution at the breakpoint check block;
A breakpoint highlighting step for highlighting the paused breakpoint check block;
A simulation model value display step for displaying a current value of the simulation model when the suspension is in progress;
A simulation resuming step of resuming a simulation when the pausing is performed;
The software development support method according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising: For all the blocks in the block diagram, comprising all block simulation model creation step for creating a simulation model at once,
The simulation model execution step includes a step of performing line-by-line simulation on a simulation model corresponding to a single line block diagram in which each block is connected by a single line among all block diagrams in which the simulation model is created. The software development support method according to any one of claims 6 to 8. Creating a check block for passing to check the passage between the blocks in the block diagram, and placing the check block for passing on all the lines in the block diagram including branches or loops; ,
When performing a simulation by the simulation execution step, a check presence / absence switching step of switching the presence / absence of the check block for passing,
10. The software development support method according to claim 6, further comprising: a non-check highlighting step of highlighting a check block for passing in which the presence / absence of the check is “none”.   A program characterized in that the processing steps in the software development support method according to claim 6 can be executed by a computer.

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