IEEE Standard VHDL Language Reference Manual Sponsor Design Automation Standards Committee of the IEEE Computer Society Approved 21 March 2002 IEEE-SA Standards Board Abstract: VHSIC Hardware Description Language (VHDL) is defined. VHDL is a formal notation intended for use in all phases of the creation of electronic systems. Because it is both machine readable and human readable, it supports the development, verification, synthesis, and testing of hardware designs; the communication of hardware design data; and the maintenance, modification, and procurement of hardware. Its primary audiences are the implementors of tools supporting the language and the advanced users of the language. Keywords: computer languages, electronic systems, hardware, hardware design, VHDL