QtRVSim User Manual

Menu Bar

The menu bar provides access to all features of QtRvSim. It is divided into standard menus: File, Machine, Windows, Options, and Help.

File Menu

Handles operations related to simulation setup, source files, and the application itself.

• New simulation… (Ctrl+N) Opens the Pre-sets and ELF File configuration dialog to start a new simulation.
• Reload simulation (Ctrl+Shift+R) Reassembles the source code currently in the editor and resets the simulation state (registers, memory, cycle count).
• Print (Ctrl+Alt+P) Prints the contents of the active panel or editor.
• New source (Ctrl+F) Opens a new editor tab to write a fresh assembly program.
• Open source (Ctrl+O) Loads an existing RISC-V assembly source file (.s) into the editor.
• Save source (Ctrl+S) Saves the current editor contents. If previously unsaved, behaves like “Save source as.”
• Save source as Prompts for a filename and saves the editor contents to that path.
• Close source (Ctrl+W) Closes the current editor tab (prompts to save unsaved work).
• Examples Opens a submenu of example RISC-V programs bundled with QtRvSim. Selecting one loads it into the editor.
• Exit (Ctrl+Q) Exits the QtRvSim application.

Machine Menu

Controls simulation execution and machine-specific options.

• Run (Ctrl+R) Starts continuous execution at the configured speed.
• Pause (Ctrl+P) Halts execution if running.
• Step (Ctrl+T) Executes only one instruction.
• Speed Controls Set the execution rate when using Run:
  • 1 instruction/s (Ctrl+1)
  • 2 instructions/s (Ctrl+2)
  • 5 instructions/s (Ctrl+5)
  • 10 instructions/s (Ctrl+0)
  • 25 instructions/s (Ctrl+F5)
  • Unlimited (Ctrl+U) – fastest possible speed
  • Max (Ctrl+A) – fastest speed, with reduced GUI updates (higher performance)
• Restart Resets registers, memory, peripherals, and counters to state after the last assembly.
• Mnemonics Registers (checkbox) Toggle register view to show mnemonic names (ra, sp) instead of raw (x1, x2).
• Show Symbol ? to be added ?
• Compile Source (Ctrl+E) Assembles source code in the editor using the built-in assembler.
• Build Executable (Ctrl+B) Builds a standalone ELF file using an external RISC-V toolchain (e.g., GCC/Clang).

Windows Menu

Manages visibility of all simulation panels.

• Registers (Ctrl+D) – Register state viewer.
• Program (Ctrl+P) – Code view with current instruction highlighting.
• Memory (Ctrl+M) – Memory contents.
• Program Cache (Ctrl+Shift+P) – Instruction cache visualization (if enabled).
• Data Cache (Ctrl+Shift+M) – Data cache visualization (if enabled).
• L2 Cache – Second-level cache view (if enabled).
• Branch Predictor – Displays prediction tables and data (if configured).
• Peripherals – Container for simulated I/O devices.
• Terminal – Simulated serial terminal.
• LCD Display – Simulated LCD.
• Control and Status Registers (CSR) (Ctrl+I) – CSR panel.
• Core View – Datapath visualization (CPU core).
• Messages – Log and feedback panel.
• Reset Windows – Restores all panels to their default positions.

Options Menu

• Show Line Numbers (checkbox) – Toggle line numbers in the code editor.

Help Menu

Provides information about QtRvSim, version details, and licensing.

Toolbar

The toolbar provides quick access to frequently used actions:

• New Simulation – Equivalent to File → New simulation… (Ctrl+N).
• Reload – Resets simulator state (equivalent to Machine → Restart).
• Run – Start program execution (Ctrl+R).
• Pause – Pause execution (Ctrl+P).
• Step – Execute one instruction (Ctrl+T).
• Speed Controls – Select execution speed (same as Machine → Speed Controls).
• New Source – Open a new editor tab (Ctrl+F).
• Open Source – Load an existing .s or .elf file (Ctrl+O).
• Save Source – Save current file (Ctrl+S).
• Close Source – Close active code editor tab (Ctrl+W).
• Compile Source – Assemble current RISC-V program with the built-in assembler (Ctrl+E).
• Build Executable – Build ELF with external RISC-V toolchain (Ctrl+B).