gEDA-user: Re: gEDA: Open-source VHDL compiler takes fresh approach

[Stephen Williams <steve-at-NOSPAMicarus_dot_com>]

phartke@stanford.edu said:
> "GHDL is different from other open-source VHDL in two points: it is
> written in Ada95, and it is a direct compiler, using the GCC
> technology," Gingold said. "You analyze your VHDL sources and then you
>  build an executable. To start a simulation, you run your executable."
>  

A VHDL compiler written in ADA. Who woulda thunk:-)

I admit that I too considered making Icarus Verilog a gcc front end
using exactly this same technique. I chose instead to not choose, and
the ivl_target API was born. vvp came to pass for less obvious reasons.

Making a direct compiler out of Icarus Verilog is still possible for
for the industrious compiler expert. There are two methods:

Method 1: Make a code generator that is itself a gcc front end.

Method 2: Make a vvp compiler front end for gcc. (The existing vvp
is an interpreter.)

Method 1 is probably better.
-- 
Steve Williams                "The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
steve at icarus.com           But I have promises to keep,
steve at picturel.com         and lines to code before I sleep,
http://www.picturel.com       And lines to code before I sleep."