ReleaseNotes.txt

Release Notes

HEAD, planned as v0.31
- Main open dialog is able to open FSM and Truth Tables
- FSM editor highlights the current transition

v0.30, released on 3. February 2023
- Added a search function
- Added a presentation mode.
- Adds Q and CTRL-Q hotkeys to copy the component the mouse
  pointer is hovering over.
- Now there is resetRandom method available in the test code to
  reset the random number generator used by the random function.
- The remote server is now disabled by default.
  It must be enabled in the settings.
- When a new component has been placed with CRTL click,
  you can place another one.
- Fixes the ignored default value in demuxer HDL export.

v0.29, released on 11. February 2022
- Allows loading byte base files in big-endian format.
- Added some more DIL chips
- Tunnel now shows signal state
- Fixes tutorial dialog positioning issue
- Fixed some issues with 7489 and 74189
- Fixed a bug in the LUT component that caused difficulties
  when generic code was executed.
- Fixed an issue in the seven segment persistence of vision
  implementation.
- Fixed a Verilog generation issue when using filenames that
  contain spaces.

v0.28, released on 13. September 2021
- Inputs and outputs can have a smaller shape.
- Added paste functionality to ROM data editor.
- Added an rle encoding for storing rom content, which can
  result in smaller dig files.
- Added some more ATF150x devices
- Probe is able to count edges.
- Italian translation was added, special thanks to Luca Cavallari
- Added an external component that is based on a file instead
  of storing the code in the component itself.
- Fixed an issue with clicking on tightly placed components.
- Allows variable sample size in default data graph.
- Added an option to skip certain sub-circuits in HDL creation.
  This allows the user to use a handwritten HDL implementation
  of the sub-circuit.

v0.27, released on 9. Apr. 2021
- Added fixed point and floating point number formats.
- Adds a dialog to create a behavioral fixture.
- Added a CSV truth table export and import.
- Added a search field to the component tree view.
- Added 74299
- Refactoring of the expression format setting.
  CAUTION: All the general settings are maybe lost at restart!
  To avoid this, open the .digital.cfg file and remove the <entry>
  containing the <string>ExpressionFormat</string> if it's present.

v0.26.1 released on 26. Feb. 2021
- fixes a bug that prevents a short from being detected
  when no component is involved.
- fixes an issue in the importer of logisim hex files.

v0.26, released on 25. Jan. 2021
- Performance improvement of the simulation start.
- Improved the gui to modify the k-map layout.
- Improved testing of processors.
- Improved the layout of fsm transitions in the fsm editor.
- Added French translation. Special thanks to Nicolas Maltais who
  provided the translation.
- Added a "Not Connected" component to output a constant high-z value.
- If a high-z value is connected to a logic gate input, the read value
  is undefined.
- Improved debugging: It is possible to set the circuit to the
  state of a certain test result, by simply clicking on it.
- Generic circuits are easier to debug: It is possible now to create
  a specific, concrete circuit from a generic one.
- In generic circuits it is now possible to add components and
  wires to the circuit programmatically.
- It is now possible to use a probe as output in a test case.
- Adds undo to text fields
- If IEEE shapes are selected in the settings, also the CircuitBuilder
  uses wide shapes in the created circuits.
- Fixed a bug in the Demuxer Verilog template that causes problems
  when using multiple demuxers in the same circuit.
- Fixed a bug in the value editor, which occurs, if high-z is the
  default value of an input.
- Fixed an issue which avoids to restart a running simulation by just
  click on the start button again.
- Added IC 74190 to the Library.

v0.25, released on 10. Aug. 2020
- Color schemes have been added to support color-blind users.
- Unipolar and bipolar stepper motors were added.
- Moved the "lib" folder from the "examples" folder to the root folder.
  - In case you have added your own library circuits, you have to move
    them manually as well.
- Reordering of the cells in the K-Map.
- Counters are able to act as program counters via the remote interface.
- The circuits created have a more visible separation of the inputs.
- The hex seven seg display is switched off in case of a high-z input.
- A Stop component was added.
- Improved test case parser. Now the test case is able to react on the
  circuit's state.
- 7482, 74193 and 744017 were added
- Breaking changes:
  - The layout shape uses a slightly different algorithm to determine
    the pin positions. You may need to adjust usages of embedded circuits
    that use the layout shape.
  - The CommandLineTester has moved! Tests are now executed like this:
    java -cp Digital.jar CLI test [file to test]
       [-tests [optional file with test cases]]
  - Text formatting was reworked. Disable formatting with a '\' in the
    beginning does not longer work. Use "\_" to escape a underscore.

v0.24, released on 1. Feb. 2020
- Improved SVG export
- Allows to disable inputs and outputs in the measurement graph.
- Model analyzer is able to use switches as inputs.
- Editor is able to store views ([CRTL]+[[n]] to create, [[n]] ro recall
  a view. So [CTRL]+[1] stores a view in slot one and [1] recalls it.
- The octal number format was added.
- A mirroring option was added to some components.
- Custom Java implemented components can now also implement HDL code to
  represent the component in an HDL export.
- Added a undo function to the table editor.
- Adds a command line interface for testing circuits.
- Allows to disable "snap to grid" in text and rectangle components.
- A push button combined with a LED was added.
- A VGA monitor was added.
- Improved naming of new Tunnels. Unnamed Tunnels are ignored silently.
- Overlapping pins are now connected.
- Added support for INOUT ports in HDL generation.
- Fixed an issue with Chinese text rendering.

v0.23, released on 23. Aug. 2019
- Added generic circuits. Now it is possible to parameterize a sub circuit.
  Allows e.g. the creation of a barrel-shifter with selectable bit width.
- Circuit analyser is now able to analyse the built-in counters.
- Simplified the integration of FPGA boards.
  Board integration is now possible without creating Java code or
  even recompiling. See the BASYS3.config in examples/hdl as an example.
- Improved the label creation in the model analyzer.
- Improved performance of the boolean equation minimizer.
- Hex reader/writer supports RLE encoding like Logisim does.
- Added Spanish translation. Special thanks to Ángel Millán who provided
  the translation.
- Added a simple interactive beginners tutorial.
- Added a statistics dialog which shows the number of used components.
- Added scrollbars.
- Multiple break components are allowed.
- The fsm dialog loads the correct fsm if a circuit is open which
  is based on that fsm.
- If a VHDL defined component is used, ghdl now uses VHDL-2008.
- Added "Warren’s Crazy Small CPU" designed by Warren Toomey as a
  74xx circuit example.
- Fixed an issue in the "RAM, Chip select" component which was not fully
  asynchronous.
- Fixed swapped IC numbers 7447 and 7448.

v0.22, released on 01. Apr 2019
- Improved the RAM/ROM data loader. Now binary files and Intel HEX files are
  supported.
- Added a RAM that can be synthesized on an FPGA using block RAM.
- Now its possible to create circuits using lookup tables.
- More consistent handling of the initial state in the FSM editor.
- Added a rectangle to visually group elements.
- Added a MIDI component.
- The line number and the context from the test case description is shown
  in test result table.
- Added Portuguese translation. Special thanks to Theldo Cruz Franqueira who
  provided the translation.
- Breaking changes:
  - The timing of the EEPROM with a single data port has changed. See help text for details.
  - The timing of the RAM with Chip Select has changed. See help text for details.

v0.21, released on 10. Dec 2018
- Added a simple SVG importer to define custom shapes.
- Added an FSM editor, which allows to input a FSM, creating a associated
  truth table and finally allows to create a circuit which implements the FSM.
- Added a divider component.
- Added signed multiplications.
- Wider shapes were added, to better match the IEEE shapes to the standard.
- Added a RGB-LED.
- Added IC 74189 and IC 74382 to the Library.
- Small improvements at the test case parser.

v0.20, released on 03. Sep 2018
- Improved zooming and navigating in the measurement graph.
- Added multi pole double-throw relays.
- Added EEPROM with separate ports for reading and writing.
- Added a hi-color mode (5 bits per color channel) to the graphic RAM.
- The external assembly IDE is able to preload also RAMs with executable code.
  The register representing the program counter must be marked as such.
- Allows the pre-loading of program memory if a RAM is used as such, via the
  circuit settings.
- Added a new more flexible shape for embedded circuits.
- Breaking changes:
  - If you have build a processor and are using the simulators tcp interface,
    you have to flag the register which represents the program counter as such.
  - If you have used the 74xx library components with the schematic shape, you
    have to reselect the shape.
  - In your own DIL circuits you have to reselect the DIL shape in the
    circuit settings. If you have build a custom shape, you also have to
    reselect it.

v0.19, released on 14. June 2018
- Added a tabbed pane to the attributes dialog to make it more beginner friendly.
- Added support for asynchronous sequential circuits such as the Muller-pipeline.
  Take a look at the new asynchronous examples for illustration.
- Added export to Verilog. Special thanks to Ivan de Jesus Deras Tabora, who has
  implemented the Verilog code generator and all the necessary Verilog templates!
- All examples are translated to english.
- A "test all" function has been added to start all tests in all circuits in
  the current folder.
- Very basic support for custom shapes added.
  You must manually edit the *.dig file to add a custom shape to a circuit, so
  this is only an option for advanced users.
- It is possible to use the 74xx chips with a more schematic shape, making it
  easier to build a circuit.
- Breaking changes:
  - Added an enable input to the terminal component.
  - Added a clock input to the keyboard component.
  - In your own DIL chips, you must correct the width attribute.
    The new value can be calculated as follows: new = (old*2)-1
- Bug fixes
  - Fixed a bug in the VHDL export concerning an invalid optimization of a
    std_logic_vector access.

v0.18, released on 02. Apr 2018
- Significant improvement in the quality of the generated vhdl code.
- Its possible to define the behaviour of a component using vhdl.
  The vhdl simulator ghdl needs to be installed to use a vhdl defined component.
- Removed the high-z restrictions from the splitter.
  Now a bus can have different high z states for the different lines on the bus.
- Added new text formatting engine which supports overline, super- and subscript.
  Try "~Q_{n+1}^1" as an output label.
- When a circuit containing a ROM/EEPROM is embedded multiple times, it is now
  possible to define different ROM/EEPROM contents in each embedded instance.
- It's possible to test circuits with a high-z input which can act as an output.
- An embedded circuit that is used in the library and whose name ends with
  '-inc.dig' is shown neither in the component menu nor in the tree view.
- Added a improved counter with preset.
- Added a monoflop. Needs a clock in the circuit in order to work.
- Added a 16 segment display.
- Added a polarity aware LED.
- Added a DIP switch.
- Added a simple bidirectional splitter.
- Added ICs 74181, 74779, 7440 and 7428

v0.17, released on 19. Feb 2018
- Added 64 bit support for Add and Sub components.
- Added support of some more ATF150x chips.
- Added a register file component.
- Added IC 74273
- Added an "export to zip" function.
- If an input or output has several bits, all pin numbers can be specified by a comma-separated list.
- Now it's possible to choose the polarity of the reset component.
- The model analyzer now creates an error message if a cycle is detected in the circuit.
  This prevents the generation of incorrect truth tables if, for example, a self-built
  flip-flop is analyzed.
- Added a chapter "First Steps" to the documentation.
- Bug fixes
  - Splitter, BarrelShifter and Comparator now are working with 64 bit.
  - fixed a bug in library IC 74198
- Added automated GUI tests. The overall test coverage is now above 70%.
  There is still much to do.

v0.16, released on 02. Jan 2018
- RAM components and EEPROM now allow an input invert configuration.
- Measurement values dialog is also able to modify the values. This allows to modify
  the content of registers and flip-flops in a running simulation.
- Now you can open the measurement value table and graph in a running simulation.
- Added a bit extender component to extend signed values.
- Added a simple unclocked RS flip-flop.
- Added a bit selector component.
- Added a dual ported RAM component.
- Added a priority encoder component.
- Added tooltips showing the actual value of wires.
- Added a shortcut S to split a single wire into two wires.
- Added selectable number format to inputs and outputs.
- Now you can click in the k-map to modify the truth table.
- Improved performance through more efficient decoupling of the GUI thread and the simulation thread.
- Bug fixes
  - Fixed a bug in the RAMSinglePortSel component: Write was not edge-triggered on WE. Now it is.
  - Fixed a bug in the barrel shifter and adder if 32 bits or more where used.
  - It was not possible to use constants with 32 bits or more. Now it is.
  - Fixed a bug that caused the exported VHDL code not to work if a signal was connected
    to multiple outputs.
  - Fixed "concurrent modification exception" if input value dialog is opened.
- Breaking changes:
  - Counter modified from a asynchronous clear to a synchronous clear.

v0.15, released on 30. Oct 2017
- Added the possibility to use custom, java implemented components in Digital.
- Added an EEPROM which behaves like a memory that can be written and whose content
  is non-volatile.
- Added the possibility to map keyboard keys to model buttons.
- Some small usability improvements:
  - Added a grid to the main panel.
  - Replaced shortcut 'B' with a more general attribute editing dialog (select multiple
    components and click right).
  - Added some new shortcuts (CTRL-N, CTRL-O, CTRL-A, CTRL-D).
  - Added a spinner to the input value edit dialog.
- Bug fixes
  - fixed bugs in some 74xx circuits (74160, 74161, 74162 and 74238)
  - fixed a bug in the remote interface "run to break" method.
  - fixed an error in VHDL export if comparator is used in "signed mode"
  - fixed a Windows specific bug in the speed test GUI
  - fixed a bug which causes a freezing when a file is stored in folder which contains
    a large number of sub folders and files.
- Breaking changes:
  - Removed the address bits settings from the graphic RAM. The width is now
    determined by the width and the height of the screen.

v0.14, released on 31. Aug 2017
- Added visualization of K-maps (thanks to roy77)
- Added VHDL export
  (Not yet complete, but the example processor is running on a FPGA.)
- Type of pin numbers changed from int to string to allow FPGA pin names like "U16".
- Added support for BASYS3-Board (*.xdc constraints file is written and the mixed mode
  clock manager (MMCM) is used if clock frequency exceeds 37kHz)
- Added shortcut 'B' which sets the number of data bits in all selected components.
- Breaking changes:
  - To generalize the VHDL export, an XML entity in the *.dig files had to be renamed.
    As a consequence of that the address bits settings in RAMs and ROMs
    are lost. To fix that, reset the number of address bits.
  - Added an enable input to the counter component. If you had used the counter in the
    past you have to set the en input to 1. The function of the overflow output also
    has changed (see tooltip) and now allows the cascading of counters.
  - XOR now can have more than two inputs. If you had used the XOR gate with inverted
    inputs, you have to reselect the inputs to invert.
- Some minor bug fixes.

v0.13, released on 25. Jul 2017
- Introduced a library of sub circuits which are available in every circuit.
  So far, the library contains only the 74xx circuits.
- Added a barrel shifter (thanks to roy77)
- some improvements concerning error messages:
  - In case of oscillations almost all affected components are shown.
  - If an error occurs, the name of the affected circuit file is shown.
  - If an error occurs, the causing sub circuit is highlighted.
  - A warning message shows up if a circuit with unnamed inputs is analysed.
  - A warning message shows up if a circuit with missing pin numbers is exported to a
    hardware-related file.
- Unidirectional FETs are added to overcome certain CMOS issues.
- Added zooming to measurement graphs.
- Test results can be displayed as measurement graphs.
- The Text component is able to show multiple lines.
- Comments are allowed in hex files.
- Some minor bug fixes
- Breaking changes:
  - An input can have "high z" value as its default value.
    All inputs have lost their default values! If you have build a circuit that
    contains test cases that depend on a non-null default value, this tests
    will fail. To resolve this issue, reset the default value.
  - Added an enable input to the T flip-flop
    By default this input is activated now. In circuits which used the T flip-flop
    in the past, the new input needs to be disabled.

v0.12.1, released on 05. Jun 2017
- added a fuse to simulate a PROM or PAL.
- added some more CMOS examples
- Improved flexibility of the splitter.

v0.12, released on 02. Jun 2017
- Added undo/redo functions.
- New wire drawing mode: If a wire is added it is rectangular by default.
  In rectangular mode "F" flips the wire and pressing "D" switches to diagonal mode.
- Added inverted inputs for basic gates and flip-flops.
- Added a locked mode, which avoids the unwanted modification of the circuit.
- Better support for high dpi screens.
- Added DIL packages to allow more "physical" circuits. See examples/74xx.
  Up to now only a view 74xx circuits are available.
- Added a pin number attribute to inputs and outputs.
- Add some functions to make it easier to create 74xx circuits.
- Lots of small usability improvements.
- Added a list of keyboard shortcuts to the documentation.

v0.11.1, released on 02. May 2017
- Added the possibility to open a circuit from the command line.
- The backspace key works like the delete key.
- Avoid extreme long lines in the error message dialog.
- Some minor bug fixes.

v0.11, released on 20. Apr 2017
- Added floating gate FETs.
- Better detecting of missing signals in test cases.
- Better plausibility checks if diodes are used.
- Added a loop command to the test data parser.
  See "cmos/sram.dig" as an example usage of the new loop statement.

v0.10, released on 09. Apr 2017
- User can select the expressions representation format in the settings dialog.
- Better formatting of minimized expressions.
- Easier editing of truth tables
- Mouse actions can be canceled by the ESC key.
- With CTRL + mouse button you can now select and move/delete wires.
- Added a real bidirectional switch and a relay.
- Added N and P channel FETs and some CMOS examples, including a 16 bit SRAM
- Added a rotary encoder
- Added a LED matrix display
- Improved and documented the file import strategy.
- Added a tree view to insert components.
- Added support for the ATF1502 and ATF1504 CPLDs.
- some minor bug fixes

v0.9, released on 03. Feb 2017
- improved documentation
- moved "show listing" functions to the assembly IDE.
- rearrangement of the components in the components menu
- made "don't care" as test case input values functional
- added a better test data parser which supports a "repeat([n])" statement.
  See the "combinatorial/FullAdderCLA.dig" as an example usage of the new "repeat([n])" statement.
- cleanup of splitter behaviour in respect of high z inputs
- fixed an error that caused an exception if a circuit which directly connects an input to an output
  is used as embedded circuit.
- some minor bug fixes

v0.8, released on 20. Nov 2016
- added pull up & pull down resistors and programmable diodes
- added some PLD examples like a simple PLA and GAL
- added GND, VDD and a switch
- added a help dialog for components
- added a simple documentation viewable via the help menu
- fixed "sometimes unwanted start of drawing a wire" problem (hopefully)
- some minor bug fixes

v0.7, released on 22. Aug 2016
- fixed a bug which causes two HighZ values to be not equal during test execution.
- added double buffer to CircuitComponent to make it more responsive
- improved debugging of processors
- some minor bug fixes

v0.6.2, released on 16. Aug 2016
- fixed scrolling bug in input/output orderer
- fixed redraw bug at element rotation
- fixed auto scale bug if element is deleted

v0.6.1, released on 10. Aug 2016
- fixed auto scaling bug which can occur if a new circuit is created
- added missing check for unsaved modifications
- fixed unexpected behaviour of 'C' character in test cases
- some minor bug fixes

v0.6, released on 09. Aug 2016
- fixed sync problems while drawing the circuit
- added Conway's Game of Life example
- some minor bug fixes

v0.5, released on 16. Jul 2016
- creation of state machines with JK-flip-flops
- added creation of JEDEC and CUPL files for GAL16v8 and GAL22v10
- some minor bug fixes

v0.4, released on 12. Jul 2016
- added a graphics card
- some minor bug fixes

v0.3.1, released on 07. Jul 2016
- some minor bug fixes

v0.3, released on 07. Jul 2016
- added testing functions
- some minor bug fixes

v0.2, released on 02. Jul 2016
- added expression parser
- creation of circuits from expressions
- some bug fixes

v0.1, released on 28. Jun 2016
- initial release