VVP Command Line Flags

The vvp command is the simulation run-time engine. The command line for vvp execution is first the options and flags, then the vvp input file, and finally extended arguments. Typical usage looks like this:

% vvp <flags> foo.vvp <extended arguments>

Options/Flags

These options/flags go before the path to the vvp-executable program. They effect behavior of the vvp runtime engine, including preparation for simulation.

  • -l<logfile>

    This flag specifies a logfile where all MCI <stdlog> output goes. Specify logfile as ‘-’ to send log output to <stderr>. $display and friends send their output both to <stdout> and <stdlog>.

  • -M<path>

    Add the directory path to the (VPI) module search path. Multiple “-M” flags are allowed, and the directories are added in the order that they are given on the command line.

    The string “-M-” is special, in that it doesn’t add a directory to the path. It instead removes the compiled directory. This is generally used only for development of the vvp engine.

  • -m<module>

    Name a VPI module that should be loaded. The vvp engine looks for the named module in the module search path, which includes the compiled in default directory and directories given by “-M” flags.

    NOTE: Starting with v11.0, the VPI modules to be loaded can be specified when you compile your design. This allows the compiler to automatically determine the return types of user-defined system functions. If specified at compile-time, there is no need to specify them again here.

  • -s

    $stop right away, in the beginning of the simulation. This kicks the vvp program into interactive debug mode.

  • -v

    Show verbose progress while setting up or cleaning up the runtime engine. This also displays some performance information.

Extended Arguments

The extended arguments are available to the simulation runtime, especially system tasks, system functions and any VPI/PLI code. Extended arguments that start with a “+” character are left for use by the user via the $plus$flag and $plus$value functions.

VCD/FST/LXT Arguments

If not otherwise specified, the vvp engine will by default use VCD formats to support the $dumpvars system task. The flags described here can alter that behavior.

  • -none/-vcd-none/-vcd-off/-fst-none

    Disable trace output. The trace output will be stubbed so that no trace file is created and the cost of dumping is avoided. All off these options are synonyms for turning of dumping.

  • -fst

    Generate FST format outputs instead of VCD format waveform dumps. This is the preferred output format if using GTKWave for viewing waveforms.

  • -lxt/-lxt2

    Generate LXT or LXT2format instead of VCD format waveform dumps. The LXT2 format is more advanced.

  • -dumpfile=<name>

    Set the default dumpfile. If unspecified, the default is “dump”. This command line flag allows you do change it. If no suffix is specified, then the suffix will be chosen based on the dump type. In any case, the $dumpfile system task overrides this flag.

SDF Support

The Icarus Verilog support for SDF back-annotation can take some extended arguments to control aspects of SDF support.

  • -sdf-warn

    Print warnings during load of/annotation from an SDF file.

  • -sdf-info

    Print interesting information about an SDF file while parsing it.

  • -sdf-verbose

    Print warnings and info messages.

Environment Variables

The vvp program pays attention to certain environment variables.

  • IVERILOG_DUMPER