If you look at RapidWright (RapidWright.io) you will find a more powerful way to program FPGAs. RapidWright uses Java (any object-oriented language like C++ could be used) to instantiate hardware at the lowest level. There is an example that places and routes a design in 6 seconds. RapidWright uses a constructive method that does not rely on random place and route methods. Intel should adopt this level of device information. Altera would never do this out of fear of reverse engineering and support. RapidWright is an open-source program. RapidWright is an extremely dynamic system that ties hardware and software directly into one system. I urge everyone to take a look and demand that Intel matches Xilinx in its openness. Cheers Steve Casselman