Toccata & Fuga: a rule-based system for interactive pipeline design

A novel interactive approach to pipeline design is proposed. To convey to the user prompt understanding of both the algorithm and processor functions, it uses a multilayered representation for pipeline entities. The entity repertoire in each layer is small. Guidelines are given to abstract actual processors into these entities. The ground layer of the representation is a resources board. One builds up the pipeline the way one solves jigsaw puzzles: moving around 'boxes' on the board. The computer system controls the design process. Toccata & Fuga, a rule-based system, was implemented along the above lines, in a Lisp machine. To be a practical tool it has the additional feature of automatic board translation to microcode.<<ETX>>