VHDL-panacea or hype?

The status of Std IEEE 1076, the standard for VHDL (VHSIC Hardware Description Language; VHSIC stands for very-high-speed integrated circuit) and its likely future use and development are examined. The genesis of VHDL is recounted, and its use in the US and Europe is discussed. Problems with VHDL are considered.<<ETX>>