Patent ID: 8656345

Claim:
A computer-implemented method, comprising: utilizing a computer to perform: storing a graphical program that implements an algorithm in a memory of a computer system, wherein the graphical program meets one or more first specified implementation requirements, and wherein the graphical program is targeted for deployment to a programmable hardware element; storing a plurality of sets of descriptive implementation directives in the memory, wherein the plurality of sets of descriptive implementation directives are associated with the graphical program, and wherein each set of descriptive implementation directives specifies one or more additional specified implementation requirements regarding deployment of the graphical program to hardware, and wherein each set of descriptive implementation directives is useable by a synthesis tool to generate a respective hardware configuration program for deployment to the programmable hardware element; wherein the plurality of sets of descriptive implementation directives comprise one or more suites of implementation directives, wherein each suite of implementation directives comprises multiple implementation directives and specifies a respective level of optimization to be applied to the graphical program; and wherein the first specified implementation requirements or the additional specified implementation requirements are specified by one or more of: top-level graphical program directives; graphical subprogram directives; loop directives; pipeline directives for functions; array directives; resource useage directives; performance directives; or interface directives.