DUMMY Question

Hello, guys.

Thank you for your fast response to the question. You're very kind.

Yes, I was confused about Verilog and VHDL. Thanks for the clarification. But well, that's something that won't arise once I'm actually working in some project.

I currently work with small audio and MIDI projects for the classroom, for which the microcontrollers are just fine. On the other hand, I've been thinking about the implementation of real-time FIR filters and other stuff, for which I think CPLD's could be far better.

Nevertheless, I won't go as far as working with FPGA's for the moment. I was thinking about Max II or MaxV to begin.

So, if I'm understanding well, I just get, say, the MAXII or MAXV starter kit and do my thing. Next, I just buy some chips and assemble the project with them, while they are still "empty".

Once the thing is fully assembled, I just use a JTAG interface to program the CPLD's IN PLACE.

If that's correct, then I'd like to know if there's a special thing that I should use for this last step. Also, and I know, off the subject, do you have any ideas on how to use this chips in projects without having to buy or rent expensive SMT equipment?

Thanks a lot, folks. :)