For students in introductory VHDL-based courses, this is a good textbook. It introduces the main features of VHDL through self-study. These include digital system modeling; basic and advanced VHDL data types; sequential and concurrent statements; structural and behavioral description; procedures, functions, and packages; and advanced features, such as component instantiation and configuration.

The linear structure of the book is very helpful, as it was in the earlier, longer version of this book [1]. From the basic syntax and modeling statements to the advanced features of VHDL languages, the book outlines all of the possibilities of this popular off-the-shelf hardware description language.

Nevertheless, the book seems too similar to the author’s other books on the subject [1,2]. Its comparative brevity is an advantage for students who have to learn VHDL for a basic course. Some unofficial (or semi-official) advances in VHDL [3] should have been included, in order to keep up with the times. The author is well aware of all of the working and decision groups deciding the future improvements of the VHDL standard; thus, news on advances should have been included.

The Web-enhanced feature acclaimed in the introduction is a good idea, but it is not exploited in the rest of the book. It would be useful to distribute some simulation examples by means of the Internet, so students who are unable to simulate the VHDL examples provided could see a complete digital system design. On this subject, even the examples, although clear and well structured (a classification in terms of complexity and a timetable to resolve them are provided), are the same as in [1].

Overall, this book is good, complete, and easy to read. No specific background is needed (apart from a basic knowledge of system design and computer architecture), since the author guides readers through all of the steps necessary to assimilate VHDL concepts. The references are few but adequate, and the index is useful and well structured. The format and typography are suitable for a textbook (not too big or heavy, nor too many pages). In spite of all this, the book seems like a revised (and not very much modified) edition of [1], but why change a good thing?