Hardware description language

A hardware description language specifies the structure or behavior of digital circuits. It supports simulation and, in many cases, synthesis into physical hardware.

Logic synthesis: The automated transformation of a behavioral or structural circuit description into a network of logic gates. Synthesis turns synthesizable HDL code into hardware structures.
Boolean algebra: An algebraic system using true and false values, with operations such as AND, OR, and NOT. Combinational HDL expressions often implement Boolean functions.
Verilog: A hardware description language used to model and design digital systems. Verilog is a widely used HDL with a concise, C-like syntax.
Application-specific integrated circuit: An integrated circuit designed for a particular application rather than general-purpose use. HDL designs can be synthesized into custom ASIC logic.
Hardware simulation: The computational modeling of a hardware design’s behavior over time. HDLs let designers test circuit behavior before building it.
Combinational logic: Digital logic whose outputs depend only on its current inputs. HDLs describe combinational circuits with expressions and assignments.
VHDL: A strongly typed hardware description language standardized for describing digital systems. VHDL offers a distinct, strongly typed alternative to Verilog.
Digital design: The creation of circuits that process information using discrete signal values. HDL is a central notation within digital circuit design.
Register-transfer level: A design-abstraction level describing data transfers between registers and the operations performed on that data. Many HDL designs specify behavior at this level.
Sequential logic: Digital logic whose outputs depend on current inputs and stored state. HDLs model stateful circuits such as counters and controllers.

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