Using YAML to capture VHDL/SystemVerilog design interfaces

 YAML, which stands for "YAML Ain't Markup Language," is a human-readable data serialization standard that is ideal for configuration files. We at AsFigo are helping customers adopt YAML for documenting VHDL (VHSIC Hardware Description Language) designs, especially at the interface level. One of the primary benefits of using YAML for VHDL designs is that it makes the information easier to parse and modify. This structured format allows for straightforward code generation and updates, significantly improving workflow efficiency.

With YAML, you can create an organized, easy-to-read representation of VHDL entity interfaces, detailing ports, libraries, and other configurations. This structured approach not only aids developers in understanding and managing complex designs but also facilitates tool integration.  

Below is a simple example YAML for a trivial up-down counter:



Take a look at our opensource OSVVM Testbench generator project that utilizes this idea at: https://github.com/AsFigo/pyVhG

YAML’s simplicity and clarity make it an excellent candidate for future advancements in machine learning and AI technologies. As AI and machine learning algorithms become more sophisticated, having a well-structured and easily interpretable format like YAML can enable these technologies to analyze, optimize, and even generate VHDL code. This opens up possibilities for smarter design automation, error detection, and performance enhancements in VHDL projects.


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