easySIM PC simulator add-on tool

easySIM is created for simulating the target system display output on the PC. The easySIM add-on tool contains a special display driver for the Windows 32 bit API. Combined with a suitable Windows compiler the end result is a standard Windows PC application, where the display output produced by the easyGUI library is shown in the PC application. For many purposes this is a big advantage, be it for demo, simulation, test, or other purposes. In essence the easyGUI PC simulator emulates the embedded system display on the PC through the easySIM special display driver. Exactly the same graphical library is used as on the target system, ensuring 100% the same output, pixel for pixel.

easySIM can be employed in many levels of complexity, ranging from a simple representation of the display images, up to complete emulations of the target system, including hardware simulation, all depending on the purpose of the simulation.

One significant advantage is the ability to start developing the target system user interface, even before any target system hardware is available. This makes it possible to avoid or lessen the often problematic software development timetable, where traditionally development of the user interface cannot start before there is hardware at hand for testing it on. This often results in the software development being the determining and limiting factor in getting a product ready for sale.

For compilation on the PC a suitable C++ compiler is needed. easySIM is delivered in several variants, each suited for a specific compiler:

• Microsoft Visual Studio 2003 (or higher) C++ compiler for Windows.
• Borland C++ Builder 5 (or higher) C++ compiler for Windows.
• Borland C++ Builder XE (or higher) C++ compiler for Windows.
• DEV C++ 4.9.9.2 (or higher) GNU compiler for Windows. This product is free, if used under the license rules of the GNU General Public License. Please look at http://www.bloodshed.net/devcpp.html for further information.

The final executable will look almost 100% the same, no matter which C++ compiler is used. Other C++ compilers might work, but will probably require some coding in the display driver and project setup. The simulated display output will be exactly the same.

The user interface layout is not influenced by the selected target, PC or embedded platform. You must of course write code in the PC simulator source code, just like writing code in your embedded source code, in order to control easyGUI, but the functions are exactly the same, because the library is the same. In fact, much code can be copied directly from your embedded source, or vice versa. An easyGUI project can be used for both purposes, target system and PC simulator. The only difference is a selection between the two modes in the C file generation window, as explained in the manual, so that the generated files are suitable for the intended target.

Please note that easySIM can only be used if you have a working copy of easyGUI installed.

The C++ compiler is not part of the easySIM package.