--- Quote Start ---
is it necessary for a Quartus II project to be successfully compiled before simulating it or trying it on development board?
--- Quote End ---
As kaz mentioned, you must compile through the Assembler step to get programming files for your board.
You have to get through the Fitter and EDA Netlist Writer to do gate-level simulation, which is usually done as a timing simulation (uses timing information based on the actual fit).
For simulation at the HDL level you don't have to run Quartus at all if using a third-party tool. You have to run "Generate Functional Simulation Netlist" but do not have to run the Fitter if using the Quartus simulator.
Honored Contributor
