The following examples provide instructions for implementing functions using tool command language (Tcl). For more information on Tcl, refer to Quartus® II Help and to the Tcl Scripting (PDF) chapter of the Quartus II Handbook (PDF). These Tcl examples are intended for Quartus II software version 3.0 and later.
Tcl examples for Mentor Graphics® ModelSim® and ModelSim-Altera simulator software are available in ModelSim Tcl Scripting Examples.
Working With Projects & Assignments
Opening Projects
Almost every script opens a project. See examples of how to specify project and revision names as command-line arguments when you run scripts, and learn how to open projects efficiently.
Making All Pins Virtual
If you use the LogicLock™ design flow, it is sometimes useful to make all I/O pins virtual. This example contains procedures to make the process easy.
Elaborating Nodes in Timegroups
You might need to see a list of all nodes in a timegroup to verify correct assignments. Use this example to get a list of all nodes in a timegroup.
Compilation
Automatic Script Execution
Run a script automatically after compilation, or at any stage during compilation, with the techniques described in this example.
Archiving Projects Automatically
This script automatically creates an archive of your project after compilation, and names it based on the compilation end time.
Automatic Version Number
This example shows different ways to include a version number in hardware in your design and have the version number automatically updated every compile.
Combine SDO Files
This script creates an Standard Delay Format Output (.sdo) file with minimum and maximum timing numbers from the two separate minimum and maximum timing SDO files generated by the Quartus II software.
Reporting
Custom Report Panels
You can create custom report panels in the Compilation Report in the Quartus II GUI. These examples show you how, and present some sample applications.
Non-Default Global Settings
It can be useful to see a list of settings that you have changed from their default values, especially if changing a setting decreases the performance of your design. This script creates a report panel with non-default global settings in your project.
Export Report Data to CSV File
This example illustrates an easy way to export data from a Quartus II report to a Comma Separated Value
(.csv) file to open in Excel.
Report Levels of Logic
When you are optimizing a design, it can be useful to view information about levels of logic between registers. This example generates histogram data you can chart in Excel showing the distribution of paths by levels of logic.
Advanced Classic Timing Analysis
Find Timing Nodes
When you use the advanced_timing package, you often need to find the node ID corresponding to a design entry name. Use this procedure to find a node that matches a specified name in the Quartus II timing netlist.
Arbitrary Paths Timing Reporting
Default Quartus II Tcl commands provide limited support for reporting timing on non-register-to-register paths, and do not report every combinational path between endpoints. This advanced script adds those capabilities.
Quartus II Software Version 2.2 and Earlier
Tcl examples for the Quartus II software are available in Tcl Scripting Examples for Quartus II Software Version 2.2 or earlier.
Design Examples Disclaimer
These design examples may only be used within Altera Corporation devices and remain the property of Altera. They are being provided on an “as-is” basis and as an accommodation; therefore, all warranties, representations, or guarantees of any kind (whether express, implied, or statutory) including, without limitation, warranties of merchantability, non-infringement, or fitness for a particular purpose, are specifically disclaimed. Altera expressly does not recommend, suggest, or require that these examples be used in combination with any other product not provided by Altera.
