The cocotb blog
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A fresh CI setup for even more robust cocotb releases and happier developers
cocotb is a test framework, enabling users to test their Verilog or VHDL designs using Python-based testbenches. But at the same time, cocotb is also a piece of software that needs testing! As of today, this testing got even better: we are now running all tests against the exact release binaries we’re uploading to PyPi, including our tests against proprietary simulators such as Riviera-PRO, Questa, or Xcelium. At the same time, cocotb developers can be more productive, as the latency for pull request checks reduced from over an hour to around 15 minutes.
This extended testing is exciting news for our cocotb users, who can enjoy even more rock-solid cocotb releases. And it’s exciting news for the free and open source silicon community as a whole: cocotb has worked hard to earn a place in the heart of thousands of verification engineers by being reliable and yet fun to work with. With our new CI system, we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in open source EDA and addressing both the technical as well as the non-technical issues along the way.
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Announcing the cocotb unconference at ORConf
Today, we’re announcing the cocotb unconference as part of the ORConf Sunday Sessions in Munich, Germany on Sept 17, 2023.
The cocotb user community is growing rapidly. Every day, cocotb users write verification code, explore new use cases, and improve on existing ones. Is there something you have figured out when using cocotb? Is there something you’ve been wondering about, or something you’d like to have a discussion on? Are you not yet using cocotb but interested in in-depth discussions with the maintainers and other users? Then you’re fortunate: the cocotb project is hosting an unconference as part of the ORConf Sunday Sessions. Many cocotb maintainers will be there as well!
We won’t have a fixed agenda: instead, everyone is invited to bring their own discussions topics, which we’ll then discuss either in a large group, or in smaller breakout groups. The cocotb unconference will be an interactive event, tailored on the fly to the interests of its attendees.
When and where? Sunday, Sept 17, 2023 in Munich, Germany as part of ORConf. The exact location will be announced later.
Interested in joining? Please register now for ORConf, even if you’re only planning to attend the cocotb unconference. Registration is free, with optional professional tickets available. Please consider buying a professional ticket, the proceeds are funding the FOSSi Foundation and with it the cocotb project, e.g., to pay for our continuous integration setup.
ORConf is an excellent opportunity to present your company to a highly technical audience of hardware engineers, and some sponsorship opportunities are still available. Have a look at the ORConf sponsorship flyer if you’re interested and get in touch!
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Cocotb user survey 2023: the results are in
For the second time in its history, cocotb has asked its users for input: how they are using cocotb, what they enjoy about it, what pain points they experience, and much more. The results are now in, and paint an encouraging picture. Cocotb not only works, but is enjoyed by many users, and the development priorities of the core development team match the expectations of our users.
The survey also identified some (not overly surprising) areas for improvement; primarily, the availability of learning resources and verification IP.
Read on for a more detailed look into the survey results. We’ll not dive too deep into ways to address the pain points of our users – there are some ideas, and a number of limitations to the abilities of a volunteer-driven project. Please reach out if you would like to get involved or have an idea!
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cocotb 1.8 is out and makes your verification journey even more enjoyable
The cocotb project is proud to announce the immediate release of cocotb version 1.8.0. This release focuses on bug fixes and reliability improvements, with some notable additions as well.
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Celebrating 10 years of making verification fun again
Hardware verification can be as rewarding as a treasure hunt. Or as tedious as doing your tax returns. With cocotb, the Python-based verification framework, engineers can enjoy more of the treasure hunt experience. And today this experience is turning 10!
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Your input is needed: please take part in the cocotb user survey
Here’s an idea for you: grab a cup of your favourite beverage, and click on this link: cocotb user survey 2023.
Cocotb is free to download and use for anyone without registration. That’s why we need your help: how are you using cocotb? What are you enjoying? What do you think could improve? And of course the most basic question: how many cocotb users are there?
The survey should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete. Please reach out to Philipp at philipp@fossi-foundation.org if you have further comments or questions.
We will keep the survey open until June 4, 2023. Please distribute it to your colleagues and cocotb friends!
Click here to take the cocotb user survey 2023.
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From zero to testing in no time: cocotb 1.7 provides a super-smooth installation experience
The cocotb project is proud to announce the immediate release of cocotb version 1.7.0.
Users will find this release easier to install than any previous release, thanks to the availability of binary builds on the Python’s package repository, PyPi. Just run
pip install cocotbon any supported platform and cocotb is ready for operation within seconds, without the need to have a C/C++ compiler or the Python development libraries available.In addition to the usual set of bug fixes and reliability improvements, users of the Questa simulator will be happy to hear that the industry-standard VHPI interface is now supported with Questa 2022.3 and cocotb 1.7.
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Hello, and here's your homework.
If you’re reading these lines you undoubtedly know: cocotb has a new website, a new logo, and a brand-new blog!
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