implemented a simple bootloader for initializing the free_queue

devlog/2025-07-02-Bootloader.md

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+# The Bootloader
+Date: 2025-07-02
+
+## Goals and expectations
+Writing the bootloader logic for the fabric.  This is for easy scaling
+of the buffer size.
+
+And also add indicators (output logic) to signal the user and
+interfaces that the fabric is ready.
+
+## Results
+Done.  A simple bootloader, much simpler than I expected, just a
+simple FSM with some initializing logic.
+
+Just some logic inside the `free_queue` module to initialize it when
+the FPGA boots.
+
+And in the meanwhile, I spawned a new server (one specifically for
+running long term simulations), and also changed my shell to `fish`
+from `zsh` for some more modern feel.
+
+## Reflections
+1. Once again, I am bemused by the simplicity of combinational logic.
+   FSMs translate much better to SystemVerilog than to some
+   sequentially executed logic like C.
+2. Keep it simple.  A simple bootloader is much easier for future
+   implementations compared to initializing through other means, and
+   once complete, it's very scalable.
+3. The plan isn't everything.  This wasn't part of the plan, the plan
+   was to burn the initial values inside a hex file or some other
+   methods that would allow instant initialization.  However, due to
+   the elements of the `free_queue` being not byte-aligned, this would
+   become much more trouble in the end.  The plan was modified
+   accordingly.
+4. Make the best out of the existing tools on hand.  This is a
+   follow-up to the previous point.  Don't go into coding with only
+   the plan and goals in mind, reassess when you've set foot on its
+   grounds, weigh the options, and something else might just come up.
+   
+## Final thoughts
+Find the right tools to do the right things.  Trying to simulate
+clocked behaviors in C++ is as awkward as trying to write sequential
+logic in SystemVerilog.
+
+The first choice isn't always the best one, but the final choice
+should the better one after weighing the options.
+
+## Next steps
+THORN!