gEDA-user: ANN: Confluence 0.9 -- Open Source, Executable Models, Auto Documentation

[Tom Hawkins <tom@launchbird.com>]

This is probably the largest Confluence release to date.  The major 
features include an open source license, executable simulation 
models, automatic HTML documentation, and a new standard library.


** Open Source License

Starting with Confluence 0.9, the compiler is now released under the 
GNU General Public License and the standard libraries are covered 
with the GNU Lesser General Public License.


** Executable Simulation Models

The Confluence compiler now returns executable models providing bit 
and cycle accuracy with high simulation performance.

The executable simulation models are controlled by a simple command 
and query language, making it easy to connect Confluence to any 
verification environment or programming language (SystemC, Java, 
Python, OCaml, etc.).  Because the simulation kernels run optimized 
native code, even a Perl test-bench will yield performance on par 
with compiled HDL simulation.

Another added benefit of executable simulation models is IP design 
firms can deliver precise evaluation models that are ready to run and 
nearly impossible to reverse engineer.


** Automatic HTML Documentation

Confluence 0.9 also introduces cfdoc: a tool for generating HTML 
documentation from Confluence source code comments.  Similar to 
javadoc, cfdoc scans a source directory tree extracting comments from 
*.cf files.  Currently the HTML is not the most attractive, but the 
formatting and capabilities of cfdoc will continue to improve.

Here's a shot of the standard library:

  http://www.launchbird.com/lib/


** New Standard Library (base.cf)

The new standard library has been built from the ground up with more 
organization and clearer naming conventions to provide a robust 
foundation for Confluence designers.

Aside from base.cf, the libraries have reserved space for higher-level 
components for DSP, communication, on-chip busing, processors, 
cryptography, and other categories.  Hopefully the open source 
community will start elaborating on these areas.


** Download

Confluence 0.9 source code and binary distributions are available at:

  http://www.launchbird.com/download.html


** Background

Confluence is a declarative functional programming language for the 
design and verification of synchronous reactive systems including 
digital logic, hard-real-time software, and hardware-software 
co-design.

From one source, Confluence generates:

  - Verilog and VHDL netlists (synthesis, simulation)
  - Cycle accurate C models   (software, simulation)
  - NuSMV models              (formal verification)
  - XML netlists              (custom back-end tooling)
  - Executable Models         (open verification)


Regards,
Tom


-- 
Tom Hawkins
Launchbird Design Systems, Inc.
http://www.launchbird.com/