( ESNUG 494 Item 2 ) -------------------------------------------- [10/20/11]
Subject: Gary -- "Don't blame Catapult C nor Forte, blame C++ and SystemC"
> C SYNTHESIS IS A KLUDGE
>
> George Harper's remarks are well observed. However, the problems are not
> really related to particular styles of algorithm. For example, the sweet
> spot for later versions of my PowerOpt was, if anything, in relatively
> control-intensive designs. Some of the problems with C/C++ and SystemC
> synthesis are, alas, more fundamental: C/C++ and SystemC themselves.
>
> To put it bluntly: C/C++ are rotten languages for describing parallel
> computation of any kind and SystemC is a kludge!
>
> - Andrew Stevens, formerly of ChipVision
> http://deepchip.com/wiretap/110908.html
From: Gary Smith <gary=user domain=garysmitheda got calm>
Hi, John,
A little history for those that aren't into language development. VHDL is
a superior RTL language over Verilog. FORTRAN and Ada are superior
parallel languages over C and the multiple C variants. The point is that
unless there is a major revolt among Embedded Programmers we are stuck
with C and SystemC. Catapult C, coming from the C side, and Forte, coming
from the SystemC side, have done the best job of meeting design engineers
demands based on inferior languages. Just as Design Compiler did for the
RTL engineers.
We've done a lot of ESL based tape outs over the last eight years. Saying
that Catapult C is a failure is like saying Design Compiler was a failure
in 1994. It ain't perfect but it's the best we've got; and it's improving
every year.
Don't blame the tools, blame the language.
- Gary Smith
Gary Smith EDA Santa Clara, CA
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