( ESNUG 217 Item 4 ) ---------------------------------------------- [5/3/95]
Subject: (ESNUG 214 #5 215 #5) Specific Reasons Why Synopsys Sucks!
>Someone should hit that user over the head with a two-by-four... I can
>sympathize with the man but comparing ease of use of any synthesis tool with
>a simulator is like comparing a Stealth to a Tonka Truck! Someday, it will
>be simple (and probably obsolete). We'll look back, shake our heads, and
>say "Work? You don't know what work is! I can remember when it used to take
>three days to synthesize 500K ASICs from HDLs!" -- but that day isn't now.
From: rudis@intrinsix.com (Romas Rudis)
John,
Most ESNUG users would agree that Synopsys is a powerfull tool with lots of
features & options. However, it is precisely this flexibility that can solve
difficult synthesis problems which makes it cumbersome to learn and use for
novices (not unlike a finicky sports car). Synthesis tools from Exemplar are
much easier to learn and use in this respect. He has a point in that Synopsys
could make their user interface more friendly like Exemplar's for novices,
while still retaining its features for advanced users.
- Romas P. Rudis
Intrinsix
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From: myhui@thlayli.newport-beach.ca.us (Michael M.Y. Hui)
John,
It is not difficult for a logic designer to learn how to write high quality
synthesizable code. But it is very hard for even a computer science M.Sc.
w/ ample E.E. CAD tool exposure to learn how to use Design Compiler properly!
The fault is in the inflexable design database, unclear commands, apparently
random (Bill Gates' famous phrase) naming of options & attributes, overly
complex component library system, and of course, bugs galore.
However, let's not bite the hand too harshly that feeds some of us.
1. Synopsys has large market share.
2. Design Compiler is very hard to use.
3. Synopsys Gurus are rare, and they command high salary.
It's like the classic positive feedback scenario where everyone is using
MicroSoft Windows -- even though it's the worst GUI in current use. Why
not keep the status quo, and let those gurus live on?
- Michael M.Y. Hui
Rockwell International
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