What is difference of creating a working design library or a project for simulation?

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In Modelsim, we can create a a working design library to do simulation, we can also create a project to do simulation. What is difference between them?

As I know, in normal case for simple design simulation, we can only create a design library. But for a large design simulation, project is preferred.

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Modelsim tracks libraries via either; modelsim.ini or the project file (.mpf).

I never use projects, but always use modelsim.ini files. I have several versions of Modelsim-ASE and Modelsim-SE installed, and they all have separate Modelsim libraries (since the binary libraries are not compatible between versions), and modelsim.ini files to track the libraries.

Libraries are created using the command:

vlib mylibrary

a mapping in modelsim.ini is created using

vmap mylibrary <path to mylibrary>

I have never found a use for modelsim project files, or much use for the GUI menus for that matter. Tcl scripts can do everything.

I've posted a few examples of modelsim Tcl scripted designs, look at the sim.tcl scripts in them. They are very basic, but give you something to start with.

http://www.alteraforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32386

This one is more complicated (Tcl scripts for both Quartus and Modelsim):

http://www.alteraforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35678

If this is not quite what you were asking, please re-phrase your question to be clearer.

Cheers,

Dave

Thanks, Dave. What is mean of "Modelsim tracks libraries"?

You mentioned you never use project because you use TCL. I use GUI, that maybe why I prefer to use project. Do you have any link for how to use TCL in Modelsim?

I learned native TCL, after that I found it is still very difficult to use TCL in Quartus and Modelsim, it seems there are a lot of commands I need to remember, any tutorial recommend (not native TCL tutorial)&#65311;

Thanks.

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What is mean of "Modelsim tracks libraries"?

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Start Modelsim, and then type 'vmap' to print all of the library mappings. These mappings are where Modelsim looks for components in libraries. That list of libraries is stored in modelsim.ini or your project .mpf file.

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You mentioned you never use project because you use TCL. I use GUI, that maybe why I prefer to use project. Do you have any link for how to use TCL in Modelsim?

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I posted links for you in the first message.

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I learned native TCL, after that I found it is still very difficult to use TCL in Quartus and Modelsim, it seems there are a lot of commands I need to remember, any tutorial recommend (not native TCL tutorial)&#65311;

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For Quartus, look at the Quartus Tcl scripting manual, and use help in the Quartus tools, eg., quartus_stp, etc. For Modelsim, look at their user manuals - there are plenty of them.

I learnt most of the Altera and Modelsim syntax by looking at other scripts.

Try it for yourself. If you cannot figure something out, ask on the forum.

Cheers,

Dave