1. A design tool for designing a memory system for implementation using an integrated circuit, comprising: an input section for specifying attributes of said memory system; a first database for storing a memory model defining a memory component and a memory interconnection component; a second database for storing a physical memory configuration associated with said integrated circuit; and a memory model section, comprising: a first portion for generating an instance of said memory component and an instance of said memory-interconnection component; a second portion for implementing said memory component instance and said memory-interconnection component instance in terms of memory circuitry and interconnection circuitry, respectively, of said physical memory configuration to produce a physical view of said memory system a third database for storing a set of primitives, wherein said input section is configured to specify said attributes of said memory system in terms of primitives in said set of primitives; and wherein a portion of said memory circuitry is disposed within said integrated circuit, and a remaining portion of said memory circuitry is disposed external to said integrated circuit.