Re: gEDA-user: Fwd: [Open-graphics] How to get more eyes on OGD1 schematic?

[John Sheahan <jrsheahan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> I wonder if we should come up with an attribute for the symbols for 
> large parts that says "this is symbol M of of an N-symbol multi-symbol 
> component".  Then you could have the drc2 backend verify that you've 
> instantiated all of the pieces of your particular chip in the schematic. 
>  Avoids embarrassing things like forgetting to instantiate the symbol 
> with all the power pins.
>
> -Dan

That would be interesting.  But you don't really want it on
say the 4th gate of a quad op amp...
Or maybe you do - makes you put it on the spares corner.

Personally my most effective check on complex boards is by reading
a reformatted version of the netlist - a list of nets and loads 
connected to each pin, sorted by chip then pin number.
For me, that _always_ finds some errors.

Perhaps thinking more widely on DRC attributes for programmable parts
could have benefits also.
I personally don't find DRC particularly useful for programmable parts,
as for every pin even the obvious things like in/out/bidi get instance 
specific, and its always too much work to assign them all.  And maybe 
rename every IO signal in a way that does not break the ball mapping.

Would an attribute along the lines of - this pin really should be 
connected to _something_  be useful?    Still seems like so many 
exceptions the rule would be just switched off.

john