Quartus® Prime Pro Edition User Guide: Scripting

ID 683432
Date 5/02/2025
Public
Document Table of Contents

1.4.2. Temporarily Overriding the Compiler Optimization Mode

You can run a full compilation flow that temporarily overrides the Compiler's Optimization Mode setting in the Quartus settings file (.qsf). The Optimization Mode for your project is the default compilation strategy for your project.

Overriding the Compiler optimization mode for your project can be helpful, for example, if a particular Optimization Mode requires long compile times, and you simply want to quickly produce a bitstream for on-chip testing.

The following settings are available to temporarily override the Optimization Mode:
  • -aggressive_compile_time

    In the Aggressive Compile Time optimization mode, the Compiler reduces its performance optimization efforts and performs minimal reporting to provide a shorter compilation time.

  • -fast_functional_test

    In Fast Functional Test optimization mode, the Compiler minimizes its setup-timing optimization efforts to provide an even shorter compilation time.

For example, to compile revision rev1 of project top with a temporary Fast Functional Test Optimization Mode, issue the following command:
quartus_sh --flow compile top -c rev1 -fast_functional_test

The specified Optimization Mode is enabled only for the duration of the compilation. After the compilation completes, the Compiler returns to the Optimization Mode set in the project settings.

Important: With this temporary Optimization Mode, the clocks in the resulting compilation might not meet setup. You might need to slow down the clocks on your design, such as by using PLL ECOs post-compile, before generating the bitstream.