Impulse C

Impulse C was created to facilitate hardware design and parallel computing on FPGAs by providing a high-level, C-like programming language. It aimed to simplify the development process by allowing designers to write in a familiar syntax, which was then translated into HDL for FPGA synthesis and implementation. The exact founders or creators are not definitively known, but it emerged as part of the broader trend in the early 2000s to make FPGA programming more accessible.

Strengths of Impulse C included its ability to simplify FPGA programming with a high-level, C-like syntax and its facilitation of parallel computing. Weaknesses involved limited adoption and support compared to more established HDL languages like VHDL and Verilog. Competitors included VHDL, Verilog, SystemVerilog, and other high-level synthesis tools such as Xilinx Vivado HLS.

An Impulse C expert must have strong proficiency in C programming, experience with FPGA design and synthesis, knowledge of hardware description languages like VHDL or Verilog, and familiarity with parallel computing concepts. They should also be skilled in using FPGA development tools and debugging hardware-software integration issues.