Definitions Cheat Sheet

• Netlist
  • contains an ordered collection of libraries and other data
• Library
  • contains an ordered collection of definitions
• Definition
  • holds information about a component like its ports, pins, etc. (note: the pins are inner pins)
• Instance
  • instance of a definition. Holds pointers to the definition which it instances (its reference), and contains its own set of pins (outer pins, specifically).
• Port
  • the input/output ‘slots’ of each definition (e.g. A,B, and Q of a simple AND gate)
• Pins
  • found on ports.
    • InnerPin
      • inner pins are in definitions. Every definition has one set of inner pins.
    • OuterPin
      • outer pins are on instances. Each instance has a set of outer pins that corresponds to its reference definition’s inner pins.
• Cable
  • cables are bundles of wires. Wires are inside cables
• Wire
  • wires connect pins to pins and thus connect elements to each other. Wires can connect to as many pins as desired (not just two)
• Parent, Child, Reference
  • a parent is a definition that instances another definition. That instance is a child, and the other definition is the reference.
• Metadata
  • the stuff not in the module but is still important information (e.g. timescale)