Abstract: An attribute of a hardware feature to be customized in a soft core is parameterized so that a value received from a user can be used to generate a description of a circuit containing the customized hardware feature. The generated description also describes, in accordance with the invention, a register that is indicative of the customization. For example, the generated (customized) description may describe the register as containing the value. After the circuit is created, the register may be read (at any time) to identify the customization. Hence, access to such a register eliminates the need for a user to maintain documentation on values specified during customization. Such a register may additionally be used to identify a device driver that is appropriate for use with the customized hardware feature. Additional registers may be included in the generated description, e.g. to identify the function of the circuit, and the version number.