Signal get_signal(ckt_time time): This is a pure virtual function which is responsible for retrieving the signal which occurred at the time specified by the parameter. The Wire and Port classes actually define the behaviour of this member function. Consequently, the description of its implementation will be presented in later sections.
void send_signal(Signal sig): Like get_signal() above, this too is a pure virtual function. Its major purpose is to propagate an output signal from a component to the components in its fan-out list. The details of this function will be discussed in further detail in the sections pertaining to the Wire and Port classes.
show_signals(): Again, this is a pure virtual function. Upon invocation, this function will display all the signals that have passed through the connector during the course of the simulation. It is defined by the Wire and Port classes.
void connect(Component &cmp): This method adds the specified component to the list of components in the fan-out list of the connector. It makes use of the add member function of the generic List class.
const char *get_name(): Each connector has a name which serves to identify that connector. This function simply returns a pointer to that name. It is used primarily by the Runtime_Component class when constructing a circuit from its protocol description.
void propagate(): This method is invoked during simulation. Its purpose is to iterate over the components in the fan-out list and to send each of them a simulate() message, thereby forcing the components to consume their inputs (when possible) and to produce outputs. These outputs are subsequently propagated in the same manner.