Various synthesis tools are provided by vendors like XILINX, CADENCE, SYNOPSIS. Details are available at their websites.
"&" operator is not synthesized by VHDL synthesis tool.
VHDL is a text based programming language.
A function is a subprogram written in VHDL. This program can be called and used in other programs.
After compiling a hardware description language like VHDL, it is required to apply inputs to the program in order to obtain out puts. Applying the inputs involves initial conditions. As the systems designed using VHDL are electronic, the initial conditions plays a vital role. Hence, all these conditions along with the information as to where the input is expected to change from 1 to 0 or 0 to 1 is provided to the VHDL program. This is done in the form of a wave or another VHDL program. These are called VHDL test benches. In other words, test benches are the means of applying inputs to VHDL program.
A Test Bench in VHDL is code written in VHDL that provides stimulus for individual modules (also written in VHDL). Individual modules are instantiated by a single line of code showing the port connections to the module. The correctness of the written program can be checked by writing the test bench. It is a collection of VHDL procedures and functions which allow the user to create their own scripting instructions for test stimulus. Designers manually design their test bench inputs to checks the output. The stimulus script or test case contains the instructions in a regular ASCII text file. The test bench VHDL package contains procedures to create instructions, read, parse and execute the test script.
"&" operator is not synthesized by VHDL synthesis tool.
VHDL is a hardware description language. We need software or tool to execute VHDL programs. Such software are called EDA tools i. e. electronic design and automation tools. Such tools are provided byXILINXALDECACTELQUARTUSCADENCEMODELSIM etc.
VHDL is not any software. It is a programming language. One should learn how to program using VHDL. The supporting software tools may be downloaded from some of the EDA Tools providers on trial basis. Aldec is providing the student version for free.
Douglas E. Ott has written: 'A designer's guide to VHDL synthesis' -- subject(s): VHDL (Computer hardware description language)
VHDL is a hardware description language. XILINX is an EDA tool. EDA tools, electronic design and automation tools, are used to implement the programs like VHDL or Verilog. VHDL has several versions. But all these are standardized by IEEE and they don't belong to XILINX. Several FPGAs and CPLDs are manufactured by XILINX.
In the synthesis part of a VHDL code, the EDA tool provides technology schematic. It describes the structure and sub-structures of the design. We can watch our design from the system level to the gate level.
Quartus is an EDA tool provided by Altera. The very purpose of EDA tools is to simulate hardware description languages. VHDL is a hardware description language. Hence, Quartus is used to simulate VHDL programs.
VHDL is the VHSIC Hardware Description Language. VHSIC is an abbreviation for Very High Speed Integrated Circuit. It can describe the behaviour and structure of electronic systems, but is particularly suited as a language to describe the structure and behaviour of digital electronic hardware designs, such as ASICs and FPGAs as well as conventional digital circuits. VHDL is an international standard, regulated by the IEEE. Simulation and synthesis are the two main kinds of tools which operate on the VHDL language. VHDL allows designs to be described using any methodology - top down, bottom up or middle out! VHDL can be used to describe hardware at the gate level or in a more abstract way.
Yes. A little knowledge of programming is needed to learn VHDL. Knowledge in digital electronics is a must. One should be in a position to understand the working of various combinational and sequential circuits to expertise in VHDL.
These are Electronic Design Automation tools. These tools are used to design and implement electronic circuits virtually using a computer. Programming languages like VHDL, Verilog can be used for this purpose.
A virtual calculator can be implemented using VHDL. We call it VHDL calculator.
In the "architecture" of VHDL, after "begin" statement, if you want, you can apply the inputs. For example, a<='0'; b<='1'; etc. But, if you want the inputs to change periodically, then you should at least apply one "enable" or "clock" pulse.