1. Method for simulating microcomputer-based systems comprising the steps of: simulating a microcomputer-based controller model having at least one parameter, simulating a plant model having at least one parameter and controlled by said controller model, simulating an interface processor having access to parameters of the controller model and plant model, suspending the execution of the controller model and plant model through said user interface in response to a trigger event, determining the status of controller model parameter(s) and/or plant model parameter(s) through said interface processor during said suspending step without altering said controller model parameter(s) or said plant model parameter(s).