A customizable user interface for simulation

Many simulationists are adding graphical interfaces to simulation tools. Such interfaces can significantly expand a user's ability to interpret results, but can be tedious to implement. Since many of the graphical monitoring devices are of general interest, there is a need for a common platform so graphics work can be shared and reused. To explore the feasibility of a common platform, we used C++, X Windows, and the InterViews toolkit to create a tool, Macaw.Macaw is a visually oriented, modular tool intended for modeling, simulating, and analyzing multiprocessors and networks at a behavioral level. Intended as a flexible tool framework for use with a number of simulators and trace sequencing engines, Macaw provides an environment that the performance modeler can customize. Users can monitor a modeled system by animating the model, and by viewing graphs, charts, and dials that present data collected by examining selected parts of the model. Statistics can be collected and reported textually as well. Macaw is an exploration of the concept of a flexible, customizable platform.In this paper, we explain our reasons for building Macaw, give an overview of Macaw, and describe some of our customizations.