VHDL

VHDL (VHSIC Hardware Description Language) is a computer programming language designed to illustrate the behavior of field-programmable gate arrays and application-specific integrated circuits of digital systems in electronic design. VHDL describes the performance of electronic components in many areas such as; microprocessors, custom chips and simple logic gates. VHDL is used to describe precise aspects of electrical circuit behavior in order to create a VHDL simulation model. Incorporated with schematics, block diagrams and system-level VHDL descriptions, the VHDL simulation model can be used as the foundation for building larger circuits.

Additionally, VHDL functions as a general-purpose programming language. VHDL has similarities to the C and C++ programming language structure. VHDL differs in that it includes features that allow simultaneous events description and provides a solid set of control and data representation features. VHDL is primarily used to detail the performance specification of a circuit in the form of a test bench. These circuit stimuli and comparable expected outputs substantiate the functionality of a circuit over the course of a period of time.

An information technology professional interested in learning more about VHDL can participate in the informative tutorials provided in this section.