GEDA

GEDA is a free, open-source suite of electronic design automation (EDA) tools designed for creating schematics, generating netlists, performing simulations, and laying out printed circuit boards. The project provides integrated components that cover key stages of an electronics design workflow, enabling users to entry schematics, extract signal nets, simulate circuits, and prepare designs for fabrication.

A typical GEDA workflow involves schematic capture with a dedicated editor, netlisting that translates schematics into a circuit description, and simulation or analysis using compatible tools. GEDA components often include a schematic editor, a netlister, and a simulator interface, along with a Gerber viewer for examining fabrication output. The suite also supports PCB-related tasks through separate tools that can work in conjunction with the netlists generated by GEDA.

GEDA originated within the open-source and Unix-like software communities and has been maintained by volunteers. It has historically targeted Linux and other Unix-like systems, with ports or adaptations for other platforms. The project emphasizes an open, interoperable approach, allowing users to mix GEDA components with other open-source tools or standalone software for specific design needs.

In practice, GEDA is used by hobbyists, educators, and researchers who value a free, cohesive toolset for electronics design. While development activity has varied over time, the suite remains available as a viable option for those seeking an open-source EDA workflow, either as an integrated solution or as a collection of interoperable tools within a broader toolchain.