Method and apparatus for parameterizing hardware description language code in a system level design environment

1. A machine-accessible storage medium that includes a sequence of instructions that programs a computer system, the sequence of instructions including instructions which when executed causes the computer system to perform:

importing a component external from the system level EDA tool into the system level EDA tool;

translating code for the component into a text description;

parsing the text description for name and data type to identify parameters;

comparing parameters identified with a list of pre-defined parameters to identify selected parameters; and

generating a graphical user interface from code of the component imported that allows a user to enter values for the selected parameters of the component.

2. The machine-accessible storage medium of claim 1 , wherein the code for the component is written in a hardware description language.

3. The machine-accessible storage medium of claim 1 , further comprising soliciting input from a designer of the component to identify the selected components.

4. The machine-accessible storage medium of claim 1 , wherein generating the graphical user interface comprises creating a script based description.

5. The machine-accessible storage medium of claim 1 , wherein the parameters of the component specify a number of bits for data processed by the component.

6. The machine-accessible storage medium of claim 1 , wherein the parameters of the component specify one of a number of inputs and outputs of the component.

7. The machine-accessible storage medium of claim 1 , wherein the values specify a number of bits for data processed by the component.

8. The machine-accessible storage medium of claim 1 , wherein the component imported has no graphical user interface.

9. The machine-accessible storage medium of claim 1 , further comprising soliciting input from a designer of the component for parameters to present in the graphical user interface.