Apparatus and method of developing software for a multi-processor chip

Applications software can be rapidly tested and developed for a multi-processor chip even though the hardware of new processors of the multi-processor chip is not yet available. This can be accomplished by executing software simulations of the new processor designs and corresponding applications software either on a previously designed processor that is hardware on the multi-processor chip or on a workstation development platform. The execution of the previously designed processor is typically much faster than the execution on a simulator running on a personal workstation development platform, and therefore the execution time is quicker. Furthermore, the processor simulation and application software can be configured to take advantage of the platform most appropriate for execution and avoid simulation of portions of the new processors that are not necessary for testing the applications software.