CPLD/FPGA programming?

Question

I like to know if I start VHDL programming with CPLD (because I have it's traning kit) can I easily upgarde myself to FPGA ?
I mean dose CPLD and FPGA have many deference in programming and hardware design or not ?

What do you suggest to me ?
Thanks

Answer 1

First off (again) you are not programming a FPGA using VHDL.
VHDL is *not* a programming language -- it is a design/description language. Just like Perl is a scripting language not a programming language.

Understanding this difference is the first step to becoming a good hardware designer. It's the first everybody has to make this step. I assume that's what you want, because why else you want to progress up to a FPGA.

Now, since you chose VHDL, instead of Verilog, you are lucky at first because VHDL can seem "program-ish". This won't help you make that first step, but it might kick start your learning curve.

Just remember you are designing a hardware circuit that you will be putting on a FPGA. It's not software (progam) -- it's a circuit.

Check out the Google groups, they are pretty useful.

Answer 2

I agree with CW. and suggest CPLD at first .

Answer 3

You might find the asnswer here:
http://matrixmultimedia.com/articles/CPLD%20and%20FPGA%20programming.pdf?PHPSESSID=c46634f3dcf28253f25e07785b8112a5#search=%22CPLD%20and%20FPGA%20%20programming%22