Questassure VHDL Extension for VS Code

This extension integrates Questassure VHDL productivity tools directly into VS Code, providing syntax highlighting, real-time diagnostics, formatting, simulations, interactive schematics, and FSM design tools.

🚀 Installation & Prerequisites

To use this extension, you need GHDL, Yosys, and Surfer installed on your system.

1. macOS

Install all dependencies via Homebrew:

brew install ghdl yosys surfer

2. Linux

Install via your package manager:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install ghdl yosys
cargo install surfer

3. Windows

1. Download and extract OSS CAD Suite (bundles GHDL and Yosys).
2. Download Surfer.
3. Add the bin folder of OSS CAD Suite and the folder containing surfer.exe to your environment PATH:
   • Press the Windows Key, type environment variables, and select Edit the system environment variables.
   • Click Environment Variables....
   • Under User variables or System variables, select Path and click Edit....
   • Click New and add the absolute paths to those folders.
   • Click OK on all windows and restart VS Code.

✨ Key Features

1. Smart Editing & Formatting

• Syntax Highlighting: Custom Questassure VHDL theme.
• Auto-Save: Automatic save after 1000 ms of inactivity.
• Real-time Diagnostics: Linting with GHDL, sensitivity list checker, and latch detector.
• Code Formatting: 4-space indentation, colon alignment, and conditional <= alignment.

2. Visual Tools

• Interactive FSM & RTL Schematic: Renders logic gates and state diagrams from code with two-way cross-probing.
• FSM Designer: Graphically design, edit, and save FSMs directly as VHDL code.
• Embedded Waveform Viewer: Built-in SVG-based waveform panel with layout presets.

3. Test Explorer & LSP

• Test Explorer: Discovers and runs VHDL testbenches within VS Code's Testing panel.
• Code Navigation: Go to Definition (F12), Find References (Shift+F12), Document Outline.
• Code Generators: Port mapping autocomplete, component instantiation (from clipboard or project), and testbench/FSM templates.

⚙️ Settings

• questassure.ghdlPath (default: "ghdl"): Path to the GHDL executable.
• questassure.stopTime (default: "1us"): Default simulation stop time.
• questassure.language (default: "auto"): Extension language (auto, en, fr).
• questassure.openWavesOnTestExplorerRun (default: true): Auto-open waveforms on test run.

🛠️ Marketplace Installation

• VS Code Marketplace: Search for Questassure VHDL and click Install.
• VSIX Package: Open the Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P), choose Extensions: Install from VSIX..., and select your .vsix file.

📜 Credits & Requirements

• GHDL: Requires system installation and binary in PATH or configured path.
• Yosys: Requires system installation and binary in PATH.
• Surfer: Requires system installation and binary in PATH.