What-if simulation methods and systems

A machine-readable storage medium comprising a computer program, which, when executed, causes a device to perform a what-if simulation method, wherein the method comprises:

• providing a design coding in HDL (Hardware Description Language) and a simulation result corresponding to the design, wherein the simulation result comprises signal values of signals, a changed time of the respective signal value, and an event sequence order for the changed time of the respective signal value;
• receiving a what-if design scope and a what-if time window;
• extracting a sub-design from the design according to the what-if design scope and determining primary input signals during the extraction of the sub-design;
• extracting what-if simulation data from the simulation result according to the primary input signals and the what-if time window, wherein the what-if simulation data comprises the signal values of the primary input signals within the what-if time window, the changed time of the respective signal value, and the event sequence order for the changed time of the respective signal value;
• and
• generating a what-if test bench according to the what-if simulation data, wherein the what-if simulation data is read, and the signal values are input to a simulator according to the what-if test bench.