lntNextToSetStep
lntNextToSetStep( ) => t / nil
Description
Forwards tracing of all Step mode traces to the newly specified step value. For information about how the SKILL function behaves differently for each trace, depending on the maximum step value for the trace, see
Arguments
Value Returned
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The Step trace is forwarded to the newly specified step value. |
|
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The Step trace is not forwarded to the newly specified step value. |
Example
lntGetCurrentStep() ==> 1
lntSetCurrentStep() ==> 5
lntGetCurrentStep() ==> 5
lntNextToSetStep()
Returns the current step value of 1, sets the new step value to 5, gets the newly specfied step value of 5, and then forwards the trace to step 5.
Additional Information
When the Net Tracer is invoked in Step trace mode, the number of steps that two traces may require to finish the tracing, also called the maximum number steps for a trace, can vary. For example, a short trace may require 10 steps to finish chasing but a long trace may require 20 steps to full shape-chase or trace.
Let us assume that a design has three traces to chase in Step trace mode.
- Trace 1 requires a maximum of 21 steps to reach the finish.
- Trace 2 requires a maximum of 4 steps to reach the finish.
- Trace 3 requires a maximum of 15 steps to reach the finish.
- The current step value, which applies to all the traces, is 2.
Currently, all the three traces are at step 2. Now, if the current step value is changed to 10 and the SKILL function lntNextToSetStep() is called, chasing for all the three traces progresses forward.
- Traces 1 and 3 progress forward up to step 10 because the maximum step value for both the traces is greater than 10.
- Trace 2 progresses forward up to step 4 because the maximum step value for this trace is 4.
Now, if the current step value is changed to 6 and the SKILL function lntNextToSetStep() is called, Trace 1 and Trace 3 move backward (from step10) to step 6. But, there is no change to Trace 2.
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