Introduction

What are projects?

Projects are collection entities for HDL designs under specification or test. At a minimum projects have a root directory, a work library, and "metadata" which are stored in a .mpf file located in a project's root directory. The metadata include compiler switch settings, compile order, and file mappings. Projects may also consist of:

• HDL source files or references to source files
• other files such as READMEs or other project documentation
• local libraries
• references to global libraries

What are the benefits of projects?

Projects offer benefits to both new and advanced users. Projects

• simplify interaction with ModelSim; you don't need to understand the intricacies of compiler switches and library mappings
• eliminate the need to remember a conceptual model of the design; the compile order is maintained for you in the project
• remove the necessity to re-establish compiler switches and settings at each session; these are stored in the project metadata as are mappings to HDL source files
• allow users to share libraries without copying files to a local directory; you can establish references to source files that are stored remotely or locally
• allow you to change individual parameters across multiple files; in previous versions you could only set parameters one file at a time
• enable "what-if" analysis; you can copy a project, manipulate the settings, and rerun it to observe the new results
• reload .ini variable settings every time the project is opened; in previous versions you had to quit ModelSim and restart the program to read in a new .ini file

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