The dependencies among the files are complex and can not be handled manually. VOV uses 'run-time tracing' to capture automatically all dependencies between files and tools. The dependency graph, also called 'design trace', is built using information provided by the tools during their execution, without effort required of the designers. Using the design trace, VOV can distribute the computational load on several machines in the local network, taking into account constraints such as those imposed by a limited number of software licenses. In order to offer run-time tracing, each tool must be modified.
Integration is easy, complete, accurate, and it introduces a minimal run-time overhead.
The integration library is distributed in source format. The size of the compiled library is less than 20 kB. Many tools have already been integrated, and each integration has required an hour or less. Ennncapsulation is the only choice for many commercial CAD tools. The encapsulation effort goes from a few minutes to a few weeks of work, depending on the complexity of the tool. VOV is currently used for ASIC and for software development.