Is a Test bench needed for simulation?

Tricky,

thank you for the book recommendation. Although the method Rochmadp gave me yielded quick results i want more control, and i don't mind learning a bit more code.

In the exercise in the ModelSim tutorial both the files placed in the work directory (counter.vhd, and tcounter.vhd) are vhd files and as you step through the code you can see the debugger stepping through the tcounter file. I want to be able to do this myself: make a vhd "input" file like the one in this example. Before I go Google crazy do you know of any pdf files that could help me out?

Just something to give me a down and dirty really.

Thanks for your help.