Welcome to the HADES simulation framework!
Overview
HADES is an object-oriented and WWW-based framework for simulation based
on the Java language.
It features a very flexible core design that makes full use of the
new and dynamical features of Java version 1.1, in order to provide
a unique simulation and animation tool.
All simulation models in HADES are written as Java beans,
allowing for an ever-growing component infrastructure.
A WWW-based design library and component database allows all users
to search and access these simulation models,
and to publish their own models in return.
The first application of HADES will be to gate-level and RT-level
simulation of digital circuits, but the potential range of applications
is much broader.
Because both the HADES simualation models and the simulation engine can
be subclassed, and because all software in HADES is loaded dynamically
via the Java class-loader, almost every aspect of HADES can be adapted
to your needs.
Key features of the HADES framework include:
- A fully visual user interface, combining traditional editing
with interactive simulation and animation capabilities.
- Integration of timing-diagram (waveform) information for
a simulation results.
- Fully object-oriented core design.
This allows subclassing of simulation models, signals,
and the core simulation engine.
- Full access to the simulation engine via a specified API.
This allows to write your own debugging and interaction models
on top of HADES.
For example, we will provide a standard simulation model called
'design inspector' that allows to register combinations of
value/action pairs to control the simulation.
- Scripting for all HADES commands.
- Full WWW-integration.
Using Java's built-in TCP/IP and http-features,
HADES is able to search, access, and install simulation models
from the WWW, as well as to publish new models to the global
model database.
- HADES designs may be hyperlinked.
Unlike the hyperlinking features built on top of the state-of-the-art
business graphics programs,
HADES gives you full access to an simulation environment.
- Note that the HADES model database includes detailed version management,
a feature not even found in the current CORBA standard.
If you need WWW-based version management now, use HADES.
However, HADES currently is at version number 0.11. So not all features
marketed above all already implemented.
Even worse, Sun Microsoft still publishes bug-fix releases to Java 1.1.
We expect to provide a first functional and complete version of HADES at Q1/98.
Contact:
Dr. Norman Hendrich
Fachbereich Informatik (Computer Science)
Universität Hamburg
Vogt-Kölln-Str. 30
D-22527 Hamburg
Germany
hendrich@informatik.uni-hamburg.de
Download
The following files are currently available for download:
Basic usage
System requirements
The following is a list of the system requirements for running
HADES. Because we need and use most of the new features of Java version 1.1,
HADES cannot be run with a Java 1.0.x virtual machine.
However, Java 1.1 compatible runtimes are already available for
Solaris (SPARC and Intel), Windows'95/NT, Linux and several Unixes.
We hope that Java 1.1 will be available for MacOS, OS/2, network computers,
and last but not least for Netscape and the Internet Explorer during
1997.
- Java Version 1.1.1
HADES makes full use of the advanced features of Java 1.1.
Please make sure to install a Java 1.1.1 compatible Java virtual
machine to your system, before trying to run HADES.
It does not run under Java 1.0.2!.
- Application
The current version of HADES will only run as an application,
not as an applet. You will have to download and install
the HADES class archive
hades.jar
to your system, before you can run HADES.
- Portability
I hope that Java version 1.1 will be as portable as Sun Microsystems
keeps promising. Note, that HADES has been tested only with
JDK 1.1.2 and Visual Cafe on Solaris and Windows'95/NT.
Please report all portability problems with other platforms
to the mail-address given below (section hints).
- Running HADES
Just to repeat the steps to run an Java-application:
- download the HADES class-archive (hades-011.jar)
- include a reference to the class-archive with your CLASSPATH
variable. On Windows systems, you will have to specify something
like this in your autoexec.bat file:
set CLASSPATH=%CLASSPATH%;c:\where\you\installed\hades-011.jar;.
- run the Java interpreter with the main class of the application:
java hades.gui.Editor>tt>
- have fun!
- report all errors!!