Method and apparatus for translating an imperative programming language description of a circuit into a hardware description is described. In one example, a state object in a function of the imperative programming language description is identified. Use of the state object in the function is compared against criteria associated with each of a plurality of hardware objects. The state object is mapped to a hardware object of the plurality of hardware objects such that the use of the state object in the function satisfies the criteria of the hardware object. At least one instance of the hardware object is generated in the hardware description.