Verilog vs. SystemVerilog: What are the Differences Between Them?

What is the Verilog?

FPGA series like Zynq-7000 SoC, Kintex-7 FPGAs, FPGA Spartan-7, and so on refer to a type of integrated circuit (IC) that can be programmed to carry out a tailored task for a particular application. There are countless gates there. The VLSI sector has seen significant growth in the use of FPGAs. VHDL and Verilog are two examples of programming languages used for FPGAs. Verilog is the name of the language used for hardware description language (HDL). It is a programming language that explains how electronic circuits are built and functions. In 1983, Gateway Design Automation Inc. created Verilog as a proprietary hardware modeling language.
In 1995, Verilog was adopted by the IEEE as standard 1364. Verilog is built on a testbench
module standard. Verilog is compatible with a number of abstract layers. The level of
comportment serves as a representation of the concurrent algorithms. The Transition Level
Registration (TLR) describes data transfers between registers and operating circuit
characteristics. The logical connections and time characteristics are also established at Gate Level.

What is the SystemVerilog?

A hybrid of the HDL and the Hardware Verification Language (HVL), SystemVerilog is an HDVL. This makes sure that the conduct and configuration of electronic components are examined, as well as the electronic circuits’ representation in a hardware description language. SystemVerilog, which served as a Verilog super-set and included a number of Verilog vocabulary expansions, was adopted as an IEEE 1800 standard in 2005. Based on a more intricate class testbench is System Verilog. the two categories of data that SystemVerilog defines as static and automated. Static variables are created by the programmer before the program is run. For the duration of the software, this remains the same. If a new value is allotted while the program is running, this value can also be modified. Additionally, the variable contains the program execution; at this moment, automated variables are created.

Comparison Between Verilog and SystemVerilog

VerilogSystemVerilog
For the implementation of combinational and sequential logic, it has a single always block.It has the procedural blocks always_comb, always_ff, and always_latch.
Reg and Wire are supported data types in Verilog.Numerous data types, including class, struct, enum, union, string, etc., are supported by SystemVerilog.
On the testbench module standard, Verilog is based.The testbench stage of the class is the foundation for SystemVerilog.
A structured paradigm is supported by Verilog.It supports object-oriented and structured paradigms and artifacts.
A language for describing hardware is called Verilog.Hardware and hardware verification language (HDL) (HVL) are both combined in SystemVerilog.
At first, Verilog support was scheduled to be included in 2005.In 1983, it was developed as a closed-source hardware simulation language.
Electronic system modeling in Verilog is done using the HDL, or Hardware Description Language.HDL aids in the modeling, designing, simulating, testing, and implementation of electronic systems in SystemVerilog.
IEEE 1364 is the standard name for it.The IEEE 1800 standard applies to it.
Supporting languages for Verilog include the C and Fortran programming languages.Verilog, VHDL, and C++ are the programming languages used by SystemVerilog.
Verilog terminology is used to model and structure electrical structures.Electronic function models, prototypes, simulations, tests, and implements are made with SystemVerilog.

Key Differences Between Verilog vs SystemVerilog

VerilogSystemVerilog
In contrast, Verilog uses the .v or.vh extension.While SystemVerilog includes the .sv and .svh extensions.
Verilog only supports static memories.Memories are dynamically allocated at runtime in SystemVerilog.
Wire and Reg are supported data types in Verilog.While enum, creation, class, synchronization, and string are among the several data types supported by SystemVerilog.
The fact that Verilog enables a structured paradigm is another noteworthy differentiator.The formal and object-oriented paradigms are supported by SystemVeriliog.
Verilog also use a testbench module-level.While SystemVerilog makes advantage of a class-based testbench.
Reg and Wire are supported data types in Verilog.As opposed to System Verilog, which allows a wide range of data types including class, struct, enum, union, string, etc.
Electronic system modeling in Verilog is done using the HDL, or Hardware Description Language.In contrast, HDL aids in the modeling, design, simulation, testing, and implementation of electrical systems in SystemVerilog.
Fortran and C are the two main influences on Verilog.C++ and VHDL influence SystemVerilog.
In contrast to object-oriented and structured paradigms and artifacts, Verilog provides a structured paradigm.The design, modelling, testing, and implementation of electronic devices are all done using SystemVerilog, which is a hardware description and hardware control language.

What is the VHDL?

A description language used to describe hardware is called Very High-Speed Integrated Circuit Hardware Description Language (VHDL). It is used to define mixed-signal and digital systems, including ICs (integrated circuits) and FPGAs (field-programmable gate arrays), in electronic design automation. A general-purpose parallel programming language called VHDL is potentially a possibility.

To develop text models that explain or express logic circuits, we use VHDL. If the text model is a component of the logic design, a synthesis program processes the model. A simulation program is used in the process’ subsequent stage to test the logic design. The simulation models are used in this step to characterize the logic circuits that interface with the design. This group of simulation models is what we refer to as a testbench.

Verilog vs. VHDL

The reasons for the differences in language and usage are related to their origin history. VHDL was developed as a description language, whereas Verilog was developed as a hardware modeling language. VHDL is a verbose, deterministic, heavily typed language as a result. Verilog has features that are the opposite of those of C, but is sometimes easier to learn since it looks similar to C code.

Verilog vs. VHDL Comparison Table

VerilogVHDL
User-defined datatypes are not supported in Verilog.User-defined datatypes are supported in VHDL.
Verilog is a weakly typed language with datatypes like bit, bit-vector, wire, reg, unsigned, signed, integer, real, and sporadically strings as well.Strong language is employed.
The bit and integer equivalence is supported by the Verilog language.Standard packages can be used to implement the bit/vector integer equivalent somewhat.
Due to the ability to manage components and apply instance binding to freshly created entities, binding and configuration are fully supported.There is no capability for instant item creation and deletion.
Managing instance to module binding provides some limited support for binding and setup.Due to the ability to manage components and apply instance binding to freshly created entities, binding and configuration are fully supported.
Conditional statements can be implemented using if, if-else, and case statements, and iterative behavior can be achieved with the for loop.The conditional and iterative statements can be implemented using the if statement and the for loop, respectively.
Assertion support is absent in Verilog.Foreign interfaces are provided by using C API standards like tf, acc, and vpi.

Conclusion of Verilog vs. SystemVerilog

While System Verilog mixes Hardware Verification Language (HVL) with Hardware Description Language (HDL), Verilog is a Hardware Description Language (HDL). The Verilog language is used to structure and model electronic systems, whereas SystemVerilog is used for designing, simulating, testing, and implementing electrical systems.

SystemVerilog is based on the Class level testbench, while the Verilog testbench is based on module level testing. While SystemVerilog is a programming language that incorporates Verilog, VHDL, and C++, Verilog requires the use of C and Fortran. In contrast to SystemVerilog, which offers enum, union, struct, string, and class data types, Verilog only supports the datatypes Wire and Reg. In a nutshell, SystemVerilog is a more sophisticated and functional version of Verilog.

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