System and method for translating a report file of one logic device to a constraints file of another logic device

The invention relates generally to design systems for programmable logic devices. It finds particular application to a system and method for translating a report file of one logic device to a constraints file of another logic device so that a circuit design can be transferred from one logic device to the other logic device. A system and method for translating a report file to a constraints file is provided. A circuit design is initially generated to be implemented on a logic device and a report file corresponding to the logic device is created. To transfer the circuit design to a different logic device, a constraints file generator analyzes the report file to determine characteristics of the logic device. A compatibility logic identifies a compatible device to the logic device based on the characteristics. A constraints file is then generated in accordance with the compatible logic device such that the circuit design can be re-targeted to the compatible device.