X-Authentication-Warning: delorie.com: mail set sender to geda-user-bounces using -f Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2015 14:59:59 -0400 Message-Id: <201507031859.t63IxxSd028833@envy.delorie.com> From: DJ Delorie To: geda-user AT delorie DOT com In-reply-to: (message from Roland Lutz on Fri, 3 Jul 2015 16:56:21 +0200 (CEST)) Subject: Re: [geda-user] Language conventions: component vs. package vs. device... References: Reply-To: geda-user AT delorie DOT com Errors-To: nobody AT delorie DOT com X-Mailing-List: geda-user AT delorie DOT com X-Unsubscribes-To: listserv AT delorie DOT com Precedence: bulk > While refactoring gnetlist, I've encountered a few quasi-synonymous terms > which seem to refer to subtly different concepts: > > component <-> device <-> netlist <-> package <-> symbol > > Not being a native speaker, I'd like to ask you what you mean when using > these terms, and what you understand to be the difference between them. There are some definitions (which may be gEDA-specific) in the PCB Getting Started Guide: http://www.delorie.com/pcb/docs/gs/gs.html#Terminology In general, we differentiate among: * A symbol, which may be re-used many times within a schematic * A footprint, which may be re-used many times within a layout * A model, which may be... you get the point * A component, which represents one unique object in the project A component/device/part would link one or more symbols in the schematic to a model in the sim or an element in the layout, and possibly convey more information like manufacturer's part number, cost, etc. In PCB, we further have an "element" which is a footprint plus component-specific information (it's a footprint in the library, and an element in your layout). > Also, what's the difference between a pin and a net, and between a uref > and a refdes? (If it's the same thing, why are there two different names > for it?) A "pin" is a single logical electrical connction to a component. In a schematic, this is represented by a net connection to a symbol. In a layout, this is represented by one or more metal connection points. In a simulation, this is represented by a parameter to the model. Etc. A net is a collection of connections between pins. A netlist is a collection of nets. I think uref == refdes, just different names because different people wrote different parts of the software.