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include::../_part_attributes.asciidoc[]

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[[tools-cifsim-chapter-start]]
== Starting the simulator

indexterm:[CIF simulator,start]
The CIF simulator can be started in the following ways:

* In Eclipse, right click a `.cif` or `.cifx` file in the _Project Explorer_ tab or _Package Explorer_ tab and choose menu:CIF simulation, validation and verification tools[Simulate CIF specification...].

* In Eclipse, right click an open text editor for a `.cif` or `.cifx` file and choose menu:CIF simulation, validation and verification tools[Simulate CIF specification...].

* Use the `cifsim` tool in a ToolDef script.
See the <<tools-scripting-chapter-intro,scripting documentation>> and <<tools-scripting-chapter-tools,tools overview>> page for details.

* Use the `cifsim` command line tool.

Once you start the simulator, an option dialog will appear, where you can configure the simulation <<tools-cifsim-chapter-options,options>>.

Instead of a CIF model (e.g. a `.cif` or `.cifx` file), simulation can also be started for a <<tools-cifsim-chapter-repeated-simulation,compiled code file>> (e.g. a `.cifcode` file).
For compiled code files, an additional option is available.
The simulator can also be started by double clicking such a file.
