Patent ID: 8095898

Claim:
A system for implementing a design entry interface of an electronic design, comprising: a non-transitory computer readable medium for storing an electronic design, wherein the electronic design comprises data corresponding to the design of an electronic device; a processor for executing program code; a program in execution using the processor, the program controlling the system to generate an interface having a spreadsheet structure, the spreadsheet structure comprising columns and rows and providing a representation of component instances and connection status for the component instances within the electronic design, the interface allowing entry of a connection or a disconnection within the electronic design based at least in part upon manipulation of a cell within the columns and the rows of the spreadsheet structure of the interface, in which the cell comprises an iconic cue to graphically indicate an instance that is compatible with the connection; and a display for displaying at least in part the spreadsheet structure, wherein the interface in spreadsheet format further provides an indication of allowable connections for the component instances within the electronic design.