The I/O DLL kit provides a means for extending the functions of the simulator debugger on High-performance Embedded Workshop. This kit supports the creation of I/O DLLs. The I/O DLL refers to a DLL(*1) that operates in cooperation with the simulator engine of the simulator debugger.
Once the necessary settings are made, the simulator debugger allows you to load an I/O DLL and operate it synchronously with the timing at which instructions are single-stepped, memory is read or written or an interrupt occurs. That way, the operation of the input/output ports or the internal peripheral functions of the microcomputer can be simulated as a means of debugging the target program. Furthermore, linked operation with an external tool can be realized by, for example, sending and receiving data to and from that tool.
Any desired I/O DLL can be created by using C/C++ language. To create an I/O DLL, you need to have Microsoft Visual C++, a Windows application development environment available on the market.
*1. DLL is the acronym of Dynamic Link Library. This is a function of the operating system that allows you to save executable routines (routines that supply a specific function or a set of functions) to be saved separately as a file with the extension ".dll". These routines are loaded only when they are needed by the calling program.