NEWS.md

[Next] 5.0

[2024-04-14] 4.1

• The mcode backend is now fully supported on Windows x64
• Coverage output has been improved for being supported by vunit.

[2024-03-06] 4.0

• For the mcode backend, elaboration of the designs is now performed before code generation. This allows some optimizations and the support of external names.
• There is a new signal dumper (using FST format) for the mcode backend.
• The GCC backend will be deprecated and the LLVM backend will be used like the mcode backend (code generation in memory). As a consequence, no backend will generate object files anymore.

[2023-03-08] 3.0

• Handle IEEE operators for static expressions.
• Improved support of VHDL 2008 (still!).
• Start support of VHDL 2019 (--std=19).
• pyGHDL:
  • Experimental support to preserve VHDL code comments for documentation extraction.
  • Experimental packaging with a platform-specific shared library for standalone installation using PIP.
  • DOM: dependency graphs, instantiation graphs (design hierarchy), file dependencies (compile order).
• Pre-releases are published to GitHub Releases and assets are uploaded to pre-releases and releases.

[2023-03-06] 3.0.0-rc.4

See 3.0.

[2022-02-28] 2.0

• Improvements to VHDL 2008 supports and synthesis.

[2021-02-02] 1.0

• Python bindings overhauled and renamed to pyGHDL. Three modules are included: libghdl, lsp and dom.
• Utility scripts in the codebase moved into subdir scripts: CI, binding generation, vendors, etc.
• Repository ghdl/ghdl-cosim created. It contains documentation and code examples related to VHPIDIRECT, VPI and SystemC.
• GitHub Action ghdl/setup-ghdl-ci created, to allow easy installation of nightly GHDL assets in GitHub Actions workflows.
• Main documentation site(s) moved to ghdl.github.io/ghdl and ghdl.github.io/ghdl-cosim.
• Repository ghdl/extended-tests created for testing vendors build scripts.
• Logo updated (org, ghdl/ghdl, ghdl/docker and ghdl/ghdl-cosim).
• Assets not added to releases or pre-releases anymore. Users should use package managers or nightly assets (updated after each successful CI run of branch master): nightly.

[2021-01-31] 1.0.0rc1

See 1.0.

[2020-05-21] Nightly build assets

• After each successful CI run of branch master, packages are published as assets of pre-release nightly.
• GitHub Action ghdl/setup-ghdl-ci was created, to allow easy installation of nightly GHDL assets in GitHub Actions workflows.

[2020-05-09] New repositories and a wiki

• The plugin for Yosys was moved from tgingold/ghdlsynth-beta to ghdl/ghdl-yosys-plugin.
• Repository ghdl/ghdl-cosim was created. It contains documentation and code examples related to VHPIDIRECT, VPI and SystemC. See {ref}COSIM and Previous work and future ideas.
• A Wiki was created. The roadmap and ideas for documentation and internship programs were moved there. If you want to contribute anyhow, have a look!

[2020-02-28] 0.37

• Python binding added
• Experimental support of synthesis (either with --synth or with the Yosys plugin)
• Fixes and improved support of VHDL 2008
  • PSL keywords are directly handled in VHDL 2008
• Add support for assume.
• Last version that supports the Mentor variation of std_logic_arith. The Synopsys one is still available.

[2019-03-03] 0.36

• More support of unbounded arrays and records.
• Support of UVVM and VUnit.

[2019-02-23] 0.36-rc1

See 0.36.

[2018-11-29] 20181129

[2017-12-20] GitHub organization

A new GitHub organization is created and the main repo is moved from github.com/tgingold/ghdl to github.com/ghdl/ghdl. Old refs will continue working, because permanent redirects are set up. However, we suggest every contributor to update the remote URLs in their local clones.

[2017-12-14] 0.35

• Assert and report messages are sent to stdout (#394)
• Improve support for unbounded records
• Bugs fixed

[2017-08-15] 0.34

• Display stack backtraces on errors or assert failures
• Compile scripts for vendor libraries (Xilinx, Altera, osvvm, vunit)
• Use SSE2 for mcode backend
• mcode backend ported to x86_64
• Support cocotb potentialventures/cocotb
• Main repository is now on github: github.com/tgingold/ghdl
• Docs available on rtd: ghdl.readthedocks.org
• Speed improved.
• New option --psl-report, to report status of PSL assert and cover.
• VHDL2008: support nested package

[2015-10-23] 0.33

• Improve support of VHDL2008
• Support OSVVM 2015
• Support VUnit: LarsAsplund/vunit
• Many bugs fixed

[2014-11-XX] 0.32

• Updated to build with gcc-4.9.2.
• support:
  • partial of VHDL2008 (available with --std=08):
  • new std.env package.
  • added features in std.textio package
  • all standard IEEE packages.
  • new operations (relation operators, maximum and minimum, unary reduction operators)
  • boolean_vector, integer_vector, real_vector.
  • process(all).
  • generic packages and interface package declarations.
  • block comments (aka delimited comments)
  • implicitely defined to_string functions.
  • OSVVM 2014_01
• Bugs fixed

[2014-01-XX] 0.31

• Updated to build with gcc-4.8.2.
• Supports OSVVM (Open-Source VHDL Verification Methodology) (see osvvm.org) in its VHDL-2002 form.
• Adds 'image and 'value attributes for all required datatypes
• Many bugs and support issues fixed.
• New home on https://sourceforge.net/projects/ghdl-updates/

0.30

Never released, swith to Dunoon Edition.

[2010-01-09] 0.29

• Initial implementation of embedded PSL assertions.
• Improve:
  • speed of non-sensitized processes.
  • speed of string case statement (dichotomy instead of linear search).
• bug fix:
  • and improvements in SDF annotator.
  • when the bound of a string literal type is not locally static.
  • gcov crash

[2009-09-17] 0.28

• Add --std=08 to enable VHDL2008 features.
• Support all-sensitized processes from VHDL2008.
• Documentation typos (thanks to Peter Huewe).
• bug fix:
  • handle 'pos/'leftof/'rightof/'succ/'pred in concurrent statements.
  • overloaded resolution functions.
  • direct drivers elaboration for unconstrained array signals.
  • many minor bugs.

[2008-07-01] 0.27

• Improve SDF annotation (handles much more annotations)
• Add --ieee-asserts= option to control assert messages from ieee packages.
• bug fix:
  • aliases in port map
  • crash during elaboration for top entities with ports/generic
  • crash when string literal in aggregate.
  • concatenation with an array subtype element.
  • non-static subtype used by type conversions in associations.
  • clear timeout in wait for.
  • minor bugs.

[2007-04-08] 0.26

• GHDL_PREFIX environment variable overrides default installation prefix.
• simulation speed improved with 'direct drivers'.
• windows version:
  • exceptions are caught
  • use executable path instead of registry for prefix
• bug fix:
  • individual association by expression (was not working)
  • individual association of string
  • within windows code generator
  • [windows] large local variables crashed
  • crash when overloaded aggregate target.
  • forbid individual association with open
  • crash when bad array prefix
  • correctly extract sensitivity of record aggregate

[2006-08-11] 0.25

• VPI functions to schedules values.
• math_real now works under windows.
• documentation updated for windows.
• filename/line number displayed for range error during signal update.
• bug fix:
  • ieee math libraries available when --ieee=synopsys.
  • 'image in package bodies.
  • scan of fp literals.
  • interface identifier is checked for conformance rules.
  • avoid a crash in case of error in configuration specification.
  • non-static choice in unidim case are now correctly checked.
  • do not crash in case of bad use of incomplete type.
  • 'range are not expressions.
  • handle file declaration in concurrent procedure calls.
  • correctly handle static 'image attribute.
  • handle in-conversion for signal associated with an expression.
  • emit an error when a function tries to exit without a return.

[2006-06-25] 0.24

• Handle enums with more than 256 elements.
• Relax expr static rules in 93c to analyze Xilinx core lib from 8.1
• man page, ghdl.1, added.
• windows installer improved
• bug fix:
  • correctly handle empty file name.
  • correctly handle unused subprograms of protected types.
  • avoid a crash if unused library are used.
  • avoid crashes during error reports.
  • add a missing case array conversion.
  • build on x86_64.
  • code generated for conversion after mod/rem (windows version).
  • -fexplicit crashed with std.standard functions.
  • handle recursion of pure/wait checks.
  • correctly handle error cases of user attributes
  • time and character read procedure of std.textio.
  • initialize by value parameters (instead of copy-in).

[2006-05-16] 0.23

• bug fix:
  • handle implicit conversion in resolution functions.
  • missing implicit conversion added.
  • avoid a crash in error.

[2006-03-28] 0.22

• direntry added in ghdl.texi
• updated:
  • Documentation (explain bug in Xilinx unisim library).
  • to gcc 4.1
  • math_real
• bug fix:
  • avoid crash if type conversion is indexed/sliced
  • do not allow anymore uncomplete individual association
  • missing check on array association
  • check bounds for val attribute on enumerated type
  • array inequality of locally static expressions evaluated
  • configuration issue
  • --warn-no-vital-generic is now working

[2005-12-18] 0.21

• local optimizations (loops, indexed name).
• simulation speed improved by 20% due to processes mngt optimizations.
• stack-switching code ported to x86_64 (amd64/em64t).
• stack-switching code ported to ia64.
• --syn-binding option extended (see documentation).
• bug fix:
  • line number for some bound violation messages.
  • improved message error for deferred constants.
  • file parameter for functions.
  • universal real divided by integer handled in locally static expr.
  • std_ulogic types and arrays are known by VPI.
  • missing space added in VCDs for integers.
  • CR+LF is also end of line for std.textio.readline.
  • avoid a crash if parse error on choice.
  • handle 'image in nested subprograms.
  • handle 'image for floating point types.
  • do not use varargs C calls.
  • handle missing EOL for readline.
  • for x86_64

0.20 [2005-10-15]

• stack memory usage improved for shortcurt operations.
• gtkwave now displays nice waves for bit and std_ulogic signals.
• time unit is displayed in assert/report message.
• -fexplicit option added.
• integers are now written in VCD files.
• hash table added for design_units (speed optimization).
• range checks slightly optimized.
• --vcdz run time option added.
• improved error message for invalid expressions.
• grt now compiles with GNAT-GPL-2005 (use a GNAT bug work-around).
• bug fix:
  • handle more types for --dump-rti and --wave.
  • 'last_event and 'last_active (bad value returned when no previous event or activity).
  • 'image attribute for physical types (was bad unit).
  • 'image attribute for locally static integers.
  • for reading .ghw files.
  • in --xref.

[2005-08-17] 0.19

• ADAFLAGS has been replaced by GHDL_ADAFLAGS to ease compilation.
• ieee.math_real and ieee.math_complex added (only partially, based on a draft).
• current time is printed with assert/report messages.
• stack switch assembly code ported to powerpc-linux.
• documentation on how to use grt from Ada added.
• allow indexes of indexed names to be non-static in case statements (93c only) (this is not standard, but I can't see why it should be required).
• unbound ports of entities are now reported with --warn-binding.
• some error or warning messages improved.
• --wave option added to dump waveforms (using ghw file format).
• bug fix:
  • internal error (missing close_temp for implicit read)
  • --xref-html: avoid to reanalyze unit.
  • handle implicit conversion for 'image.
  • aggregate assigned to an aggregate: avoid crash.
  • array attributes on unconstrained array: avoid crash.
  • 'last_event returns time'high if no event.
  • 'last_event on array (uninitialized variable).
  • allow calling rising_edge with a port of mode buffer.
  • allow aliases of unconstrained arrays.
  • bound error on aggregate with an unused other association.
  • catch indexed/sliced component (was crashing).
  • catch index/slice of a type conversion (was crashing).
  • handle bad component specification in conf (was crashing).
  • missing ports in component (was crashing).
  • component configurations were dicarded by bug in some cases.
  • no more unused warnings for subprograms in architectures (they may be used in configuration).
  • allow conversion in component configuration.
  • conversion in associations with not statically defined array signals.

[2005-03-12] 0.18

• Keep last line number to speed-up line number look-up (improvement).
• --warn-default-binding added, --warn-binding rewritten.
• 'value implemented for integer numbers.
• bug fix:
  • in textio.read for time.
  • file_close does not crash if file was already closed.
  • spurious unused warnings for protected types.
  • allow subtype names in slice during sensitivity extraction.
  • correctly set the default value of collapsed ports.
  • handling of stack2 (aka large concatenation bug).

[2005-02-26] 0.17

• command --elab-run added.
• Code generation for aggregate improved.
• Library name of option --work= is checked.
• --no-run option added to prevent simulation (may be used to disp tree only).
• disp signal name in error when multiple sources drive an unresolved signal.
• -m/--gen-makefile now handle several libraries.
• dependences are not stored anymore in libraries (shorter/faster).
• mentor version of ieee library is now provided.
• handling of universal types is more consistent with LRM (almost corner cases).
• iterator and indexes whose bounds were universal expressions are now of type integer or erroneous, according to the weird LRM rules.
• handle selected name as entity name in architecture/configuration.
• bug fix:
  • port map with expression (corner case ?).
  • forbid empty extended identifiers.
  • enumeration literal xrefs.
  • non-object name in sensitivity list crashed.
  • correctly handle alias of signals in processes.

[2005-01-02] 0.16

• std.textio: readline has no limits on line length.
• command -r (run) added.
• bug fix:
  • better handling of errors in type conversion.
  • few uninitialized variables in ghdl itself caught.
  • parse error: begin in aggregates.
  • bad unused subprogram warnings.

[2004-10-13] 0.15

• library file format modified to handle relative pathes.
• install fixed to use relative pathes.
• internal change: ortho API modified (constant are not anymore expressions).

[2004-08-29] 0.14

• pretty printing in HTML command, --pp-html, added.
• xref generation in HTML command, --xref-html, added.
• syntax checking command, -s, added.
• Code generation in whole command, -c files -e unit, added.
• warns for unused subprograms.
• bug box added to help bug reports.
• -s (syntax check) command added.
• Missing grt subprogram to close non-text file added.
• maximum line length of std.textio.readline extended to 512 characters.
• std.textio.readline assert error on truncated lines.
• Handle P32 and P64 in --trace-signals
• sequentials statements are not canonicalized (should be faster).
• DESTDIR added in Makefile to ease packaging.
• for -m command, re-parse modified files of the work library.
• Many checks added on interfaces.
• Many checks added on associations, better handling of conversions.
• Checks for unassociated entity ports at elaboration.
• bug fix:
  • resolution function can be an expanded name.
  • missing type check in a corner case.
  • emit an error when EOF is reached while a text file is read.
  • std.textio.read for negative number.
  • std.textio.read [integer]: correctly handle end of line.
  • parameters of protected type: handled and checked.
  • gen_tree.c modified to work with sparc.

[2004-06-26] 0.13

• support of 64bits integers and 32bits time (not yet user available)
• handle 'high and 'low attributes on non-locally static types and subtypes.
• Many warning switches added (to control output of warnings).
• --gen-makefile mode added to ghdl (to generate a Makefile)
• alias identifier restrictions of vhdl-02 implemented.
• declarative region for architecture from vhdl-02 implemented.
• buffer port association rules of vhdl-02 implemented.
• method operator restrictions of vhdl-02 implemented.
• 'driving and 'driving_value implemented.
• run-time bound check error message now contains file name and line number.
• strings are not stored anymore with the identifiers.
• parser does not back-track anymore.
• bug fix:
  • name clash in generated .s files (arch and port/generic names).
  • implicit conversion of signal parameters.
  • handle locally static type conversion of arrays.
  • stabilize during elaboration of an unconstrained signal.
  • revert previous vhdl87 conf spec bug fix, according to INT-1991 issue 27.
  • multiple visibility of declarations (eg: direct and alias).
  • names attribute of non-object aliases.

[2004-05-30] 0.12

• simulation speed improved (2 fold) due to reduced activity optimization.
• type conversion handled in associations
• make mode of ghdl improved.
• bug fix:
  • attribute specification
  • allow discrete type marks in choices
  • handling of generate statement for VCD
  • allow dereference in variable associations
  • allow function conversion in block port map
  • vhdl87: apply configuration specification inside generate stmts.
  • catch non-passive concurrent procedure calls in entity.
  • association of an unconstrained port with an expression.
  • declaring an uncons. array subtype of an uncons. array subtype.

[2004-04-24] 0.11.1

• bug fix:
  • corner case of signal not updated
  • handle 'stable, 'quiet with a paramater > 0
  • typos (missing + ) in sparc.S

[2004-04-17] 0.11

• signal collapsing improved.
• simulation kernel speed improved (maybe 5x faster).
• --lines mode of ghdldrv added.
• boolean signals are now dumped in vcd files.
• bug fix:
  • in code generation for an aggregate.
  • run-time check of ascending order of projected transactions.
  • empty sequence of stmts in case alternatives (unidim array).
  • evaluation of locally static 'range attribute.
  • implicit conversion in formal function convertor.
  • return type is a type mark.

[2004-02-28] 0.10

• architecture with many instances can be compiled with less memory.
• --stats option added to the simulator, to evaluate performance.
• signals are now collapsed between instances, if possible.
• simulation is about 3x faster.
• sparc port available (source only).
• more checks added for attribute specification.
• chop command added (split files by design unit).
• bug fix:
  • absolute source files.
  • empty sequence of statements in case alternatives.

[2004-02-01] 0.9

• VITAL level 0 restrictions checks added.
• VITAL 2000 packages provided.
• run-time information (such as signal names) rewritten.
• SDF support added (partial and experimental).
• bug fix:
  • allow elaboration even if no package body if the package is present in a file but not used by the hierarchy.
  • delay_length range is pre-elaborated (was not in v93).
  • crashed when a design unit is not found at elaboration.
  • allow association of 'stable, 'quiet... with signal interfaces.
  • concurrent procedure call creates a non-sensitized process.
  • effective value of non-scalar resolved signal might not be set.

[2003-11-05] 0.8

• protected types (from 1076a/1076-2000) implemented.
• file declarations are finalized in subprograms.
• an exit call-back has been added in the run-time library.
• internal modifications (nodes are stored in a table).
• name of generated executable can be set with -o option.
• IVI (ivi.sourceforge.org) support through a few VPI subprograms.
• pure and wait checks added.
• out ports are correctly dumped in VCD files.
• bug fix:
  • signal declaration not allowed in processes.
  • several bugs fixed.

[2003-08-02] 0.7

• layout of internal nodes improved.
• incremental binding (vhdl93).
• association of in port with expressions (vhdl93).
• --disp-time option added.
• make mode (ghdl -m) rewritten.
• 'simple_name, 'path_name and 'instance_name added (vhdl93).
• bug fix:
  • instantiation added in hierarchy.
  • individual association of subelements by expression.
  • --stop-delta option is working.
  • correctly handle operators names at function call.
  • several small bugs fixed.

[2003-06-09] 0.6

• internal modifications (single linked list used instead of arrays).
• Mentor version of std_logic_arith is provided.
• postponed handled (vhdl 93).
• declarations allowed in a generate statement (vhdl 93).
• non object aliases handled (vhdl93).
• signatures handled (vhdl93).
• bug fix:
  • xnor on bit and boolean is working.
  • selected_name list in use clauses.
  • many other small bug fixes.

[2003-05-10] 0.5

• foreign attribute handled. You can now call subprograms defined in a foreign language (such as C or Ada).
• ghdl entry point added: you can start the VHDL simulation from your own program.
• bug fix:
  • triple use.
  • incomplete types

[2003-04-07] 0.4.1

• bug fix: in the vcd output.

[2003-04-02] 0.4

• libgrt does not depend on GNAT library anymore. Installation requirements are reduced.
• 'delayed attribute implemented.
• 'transaction attribute implemented.
• unaffected (from vhdl-93) implemented.
• ghdl action --disp-standard prints the std.standard package.
• exponentiation operator, **, implemented for all integer and floating point types.
• many other small bug fixes.
• bug fix: subprogram interfaces are now elaborated.