VHDL-2019 Support


While support for VHDL-2019 is being improved, this page lists the VHDL-2019 features that are supported in the latest release.

Currently supported

  • All the new VHDL 2019 APIs in the updated std and ieee libraries

  • Functions now know the type of the receiver of the return value

      function convert_to_slv(constant i: in integer) return TResult of std_logic_vector is
        variable result: TResult;
      begin
        -- Can now access attributes of the receiver of this return value
        result := std_logic_vector(to_signed(i, result'length));
        return result;
      end function;
    
      -- Now we can do the following
      x <= convert_to_slv(i);
    
      -- Instead of
      x <= std_logic_vector(to_signed(i, x'length));
    
  • The ending component keyword in a component declarations is now optional

  • A trailing semicolon in port, generic and parameter lists is now allowed

  • Parameters of impure functions can now have inout and out modes

  • record declarations can now be empty

  • Qualified expressions’ operand is now optional

      -- Value of "abc" is an empty value of the type std_logic
      constant abc : std_logic := std_logic'();
    
  • Improved syntax of power expressions (**)

  • when-else and unaffected expressions are now allowed in return statements

  • Sequential block statements

  • Added an autocomplete for, and improved automatic indentation of, protected type declarations

  • Added support for VHDL 2019 private variable declaration and aliases in protected declaration

    type SharedCounter is protected
        function increment(i : integer) return integer;
        private variable v : integer := 0;
        alias aliasName is increment;
        alias aliasName2 is aliasName;
    end protected SharedCounter;
    
  • Added support for VHDL 2019 generic protected type declarations

  • Allow conditional_or_unaffected_expression where needed

    proc : process is
      variable v : bit := '1';
    begin
      v := '0' when isAnswer(42) else unaffected;
    end process;
    
  • Added support for VHDL 2019 Conditional Analysis

Enable VHDL-2019

The Sigasi Studio 4.11 release introduced VHDL 2019 into Sigasi Studio. To make use of the improved language features and APIs you need to set your VHDL project (or a single file) to VHDL 2019 and update the std and ieee libraries:

  1. Update the project version: Right click the project (or file) and select Properties > VHDL Version > VHDL 2019.
  2. Update the std and ieee libraries: Right click the Common Libraries folder, and select Set Library > Reset Common libraries

We have made a screencast to demonstrate this.