Build software in NIOS II using sopcinfo file without using any board

Thanks guys for your reply. I guess this gives a good big picture of going about writing the C code. I guess I did not express myself well. The answer I found (which might not be exactly the best) is the NIOS II simulation on Modelsim (Run as Simulation). This helps me use the sopcinfo file without actually using the board to run the program. The limitation I was facing is that the design I made is too big for the DE1 board and required atleast a Cyclone III. So I want to be able to write code for my design without actually buying a new board.(Should have mentioned the scenario earlier).