ShelbySim: A Transparent, Pedagogy-Oriented Simulator for Computer-Based Systems

ShelbySim is a student-friendly, pedagogy-oriented, open-source software system for designing, simulating, and evaluating a wide range of multidisciplinary, computer-based engineering applications. It consists of three top-level, seamlessly integrated and richly expressive components that focus on software, hardware, and a holistic combination of the two in realistic operational contexts. The software component consists of a Java-like object-oriented programming language, Shelby, a full-fledged, transparent compiler with extensive tracing, logging, and inspection capabilities, and a runtime system for executing its programs. The hardware component is for designing and implementing conceptualized representations of embedded systems and computer architectures that support the software. The simulation component provides a flexible, interactive framework for running controlled experiments on the software and hardware. It provides students with raw data for quantitative performance analysis, evaluation, and reporting of their designs. ShelbySim also functions as an appealing tool for demonstrations and recruitment.