My problem is when someone with e.g. a timing problem can not understand that the simulator does not catch it<P>

Oh, I agree. Simulators are not the right tools for timing problems or many I/O issues. But I do think they can be useful for many *logic* problems. Before I go to hardware I like to know that my underlying logic is sound, and a good simulator can do a pretty good job assuring that.

That said, you can't assume that because it works in a simulator that it will work in the real hardware. But barring timing and I/O issues it can give you a pretty good level of confidence when you first take it to hardware.

Low-priced emulators such as the Cygnal devices definitely make it easier to test on real hardware, of course.

Regards,
Craig Steiner