cocotb 1.9.2__cp313-cp313-win_amd64.whl → 2.0.0b1__cp313-cp313-win_amd64.whl

{cocotb → cocotb_tools}/runner.py

@@ -9,7 +9,8 @@
 # TODO: support timescale on all simulators
 # TODO: support custom dependencies
 
-import abc
+import logging
+import multiprocessing
 import os
 import re
 import shlex
@@ -18,41 +19,86 @@ import subprocess
 import sys
 import tempfile
 import warnings
+from abc import ABC, abstractmethod
 from contextlib import suppress
 from pathlib import Path
-from typing import Dict, List, Mapping, Optional, Sequence, TextIO, Tuple, Type, Union
-from xml.etree import ElementTree as ET
+from typing import (
+    Dict,
+    Iterable,
+    List,
+    Mapping,
+    Optional,
+    Sequence,
+    TextIO,
+    Tuple,
+    Type,
+    Union,
+)
 
 import find_libpython
 
-import cocotb.config
+import cocotb_tools.config
+from cocotb_tools.check_results import get_results
+from cocotb_tools.sim_versions import NvcVersion
 
-PathLike = Union["os.PathLike[str]", str]
-Command = List[str]
-Timescale = Tuple[str, str]
+PathLike = Union["os.PathLike[str]", str]  # TODO use TypeAlias in Python 3.10
+"A path that can be passed to :class:`pathlib.Path` or :func:`open`"
 
-warnings.warn(
-    "Python runners and associated APIs are an experimental feature and subject to change.",
-    UserWarning,
-    stacklevel=2,
-)
+_Command = List[str]
 
 _magic_re = re.compile(r"([\\{}])")
 _space_re = re.compile(r"([\s])", re.ASCII)
 
 
-def as_tcl_value(value: str) -> str:
+MAX_PARALLEL_BUILD_JOBS: int = 4
+"""The maximum number of parallel build threads in calls to :meth:`.Runner.build`.
+
+If the number of CPU cores is less than this value, it uses the CPU core count.
+Set this variable to globally change the number of parallel build jobs.
+"""
+
+
+def _get_max_parallel_build_jobs() -> int:
+    return min(MAX_PARALLEL_BUILD_JOBS, multiprocessing.cpu_count())
+
+
+def _as_tcl_value(value: str) -> str:
     # add '\' before special characters and spaces
     value = _magic_re.sub(r"\\\1", value)
     value = value.replace("\n", r"\n")
     value = _space_re.sub(r"\\\1", value)
-    if value[0] == '"':
+    if value[:1] == '"':
         value = "\\" + value
 
     return value
 
 
-def shlex_join(split_command):
+_sv_escapes = {
+    "\n": "\\n",
+    "\t": "\\t",
+    "\\": "\\\\",
+    '"': '\\"',
+    "\v": "\\v",
+    "\f": "\\f",
+    "\xff": "\\xFF",
+}
+for i in range(32):
+    if chr(i) not in _sv_escapes:
+        _sv_escapes[chr(i)] = f"\\x{i:02x}"
+
+_sv_escape_translate_table = str.maketrans(_sv_escapes)
+
+
+def _as_sv_literal(value: str) -> str:
+    if isinstance(value, (int, float)):
+        return str(value)
+    elif isinstance(value, str):
+        return '"' + value.translate(_sv_escape_translate_table) + '"'
+    else:
+        raise TypeError("Can't serialize this type as an SV literal")
+
+
+def _shlex_join(split_command: Iterable[str]) -> str:
     """
     Return a shell-escaped string from *split_command*
     This is here more for compatibility purposes
@@ -61,19 +107,17 @@ def shlex_join(split_command):
 
 
 class VHDL(str):
-    """Tags source files and build arguments to :meth:`~cocotb.runner.Simulator.build` as VHDL-specific."""
+    """Tags source files and build arguments to :meth:`Runner.build() <cocotb_tools.runner.Runner.build>` as VHDL-specific."""
 
 
 class Verilog(str):
-    """Tags source files and build arguments to :meth:`~cocotb.runner.Simulator.build` as Verilog-specific."""
+    """Tags source files and build arguments to :meth:`Runner.build() <cocotb_tools.runner.Runner.build>` as Verilog-specific."""
 
 
-class Simulator(abc.ABC):
-
+class Runner(ABC):
     supported_gpi_interfaces: Dict[str, List[str]] = {}
 
     def __init__(self) -> None:
-
         self._simulator_in_path()
 
         self.env: Dict[str, str] = {}
@@ -82,7 +126,10 @@ class Simulator(abc.ABC):
         self.build_dir: Path = get_abs_path("sim_build")
         self.parameters: Mapping[str, object] = {}
 
-    @abc.abstractmethod
+        self.log = logging.getLogger(type(self).__qualname__)
+        self.log.setLevel(logging.INFO)
+
+    @abstractmethod
     def _simulator_in_path(self) -> None:
         """Raise exception if the simulator executable does not exist in :envvar:`PATH`.
 
@@ -90,8 +137,6 @@ class Simulator(abc.ABC):
             SystemExit: Simulator executable does not exist in :envvar:`PATH`.
         """
 
-        raise NotImplementedError()
-
     def _check_hdl_toplevel_lang(self, hdl_toplevel_lang: Optional[str]) -> str:
         """Return *hdl_toplevel_lang* if supported by simulator, raise exception otherwise.
 
@@ -120,12 +165,12 @@ class Simulator(abc.ABC):
         else:
             lang = hdl_toplevel_lang
 
-        if lang in self.supported_gpi_interfaces.keys():
+        if lang in self.supported_gpi_interfaces:
             return lang
         else:
             raise ValueError(
                 f"{type(self).__qualname__}: hdl_toplevel_lang {hdl_toplevel_lang!r} is not "
-                f"in supported list: {', '.join(self.supported_gpi_interfaces.keys())}"
+                f"in supported list: {', '.join(self.supported_gpi_interfaces)}"
             )
 
     def _set_env(self) -> None:
@@ -142,23 +187,28 @@ class Simulator(abc.ABC):
                 )
             self.env["LIBPYTHON_LOC"] = libpython_path
 
-        self.env["PATH"] += os.pathsep + cocotb.config.libs_dir
+        self.env["PATH"] += os.pathsep + str(cocotb_tools.config.libs_dir)
         self.env["PYTHONPATH"] = os.pathsep.join(sys.path)
-        self.env["PYTHONHOME"] = sys.prefix
-        self.env["TOPLEVEL"] = self.sim_hdl_toplevel
-        self.env["MODULE"] = self.test_module
+        self.env["PYGPI_PYTHON_BIN"] = sys.executable
+        self.env["COCOTB_TOPLEVEL"] = self.sim_hdl_toplevel
+        self.env["COCOTB_TEST_MODULES"] = self.test_module
+        self.env["TOPLEVEL_LANG"] = self.hdl_toplevel_lang
 
-    @abc.abstractmethod
-    def _build_command(self) -> Sequence[Command]:
+    @abstractmethod
+    def _build_command(self) -> Sequence[_Command]:
         """Return command to build the HDL sources."""
 
-        raise NotImplementedError()
-
-    @abc.abstractmethod
-    def _test_command(self) -> Sequence[Command]:
+    @abstractmethod
+    def _test_command(self) -> Sequence[_Command]:
         """Return command to run a test."""
 
-        raise NotImplementedError()
+    def _use_external_viewer(self) -> bool:
+        """Return if an external viewer should be called after simulation when ``gui=True``."""
+        return False
+
+    def _waves_file(self) -> Optional[str]:
+        """Return file name of the generated waveform file for use with external viewer."""
+        return None
 
     def build(
         self,
@@ -175,8 +225,8 @@ class Simulator(abc.ABC):
         build_dir: PathLike = "sim_build",
         clean: bool = False,
         verbose: bool = False,
-        timescale: Optional[Timescale] = None,
-        waves: Optional[bool] = None,
+        timescale: Optional[Tuple[str, str]] = None,
+        waves: bool = False,
         log_file: Optional[PathLike] = None,
     ) -> None:
         """Build the HDL sources.
@@ -199,7 +249,7 @@ class Simulator(abc.ABC):
         +----------+------------------------------------+
 
 
-        .. code-block:: python3
+        .. code-block:: python
 
             runner.build(
                 sources=[
@@ -224,25 +274,41 @@ class Simulator(abc.ABC):
             hdl_toplevel: The name of the HDL toplevel module.
             always: Always run the build step.
             build_dir: Directory to run the build step in.
-            clean: Delete build_dir before building
+            clean: Delete *build_dir* before building.
             verbose: Enable verbose messages.
             timescale: Tuple containing time unit and time precision for simulation.
-            waves: Record signal traces.
+            waves: Record signal traces. Overridden by the ``WAVES`` environment variable.
             log_file: File to write the build log to.
+
+        .. deprecated:: 2.0
+
+            Uses of the *verilog_sources* and *vhdl_sources* parameters should be replaced with the language-agnostic *sources* argument.
         """
 
         self.clean: bool = clean
         self.build_dir = get_abs_path(build_dir)
         if self.clean:
             self.rm_build_folder(self.build_dir)
-        os.makedirs(self.build_dir, exist_ok=True)
+        self.build_dir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
 
         # note: to avoid mutating argument defaults, we ensure that no value
         # is written without a copy. This is much more concise and leads to
         # a better docstring than using `None` as a default in the parameters
         # list.
         self.hdl_library: str = hdl_library
+        if verilog_sources:
+            warnings.warn(
+                "Simulator.build *verilog_sources* parameter is deprecated. Use the language-agnostic *sources* parameter instead.",
+                DeprecationWarning,
+                stacklevel=2,
+            )
         self.verilog_sources: List[Path] = get_abs_paths(verilog_sources)
+        if vhdl_sources:
+            warnings.warn(
+                "Simulator.build *vhdl_sources* parameter is deprecated. Use the language-agnostic *sources* parameter instead.",
+                DeprecationWarning,
+                stacklevel=2,
+            )
         self.vhdl_sources: List[Path] = get_abs_paths(vhdl_sources)
         self.sources: List[Path] = get_abs_paths(sources)
         self.includes: List[Path] = get_abs_paths(includes)
@@ -252,15 +318,14 @@ class Simulator(abc.ABC):
         self.always: bool = always
         self.hdl_toplevel: Optional[str] = hdl_toplevel
         self.verbose: bool = verbose
-        self.timescale: Optional[Timescale] = timescale
+        self.timescale: Optional[Tuple[str, str]] = timescale
         self.log_file: Optional[PathLike] = log_file
 
-        self.waves = bool(waves)
+        self.waves = bool(os.getenv("WAVES", waves))
 
-        for e in os.environ:
-            self.env[e] = os.environ[e]
+        self.env.update(os.environ)
 
-        cmds: Sequence[Command] = self._build_command()
+        cmds: Sequence[_Command] = self._build_command()
         self._execute(cmds, cwd=self.build_dir)
 
     def test(
@@ -272,19 +337,21 @@ class Simulator(abc.ABC):
         gpi_interfaces: Optional[List[str]] = None,
         testcase: Optional[Union[str, Sequence[str]]] = None,
         seed: Optional[Union[str, int]] = None,
+        elab_args: Sequence[str] = [],
         test_args: Sequence[str] = [],
         plusargs: Sequence[str] = [],
         extra_env: Mapping[str, str] = {},
-        waves: Optional[bool] = None,
-        gui: Optional[bool] = None,
-        parameters: Mapping[str, object] = None,
+        waves: bool = False,
+        gui: bool = False,
+        parameters: Optional[Mapping[str, object]] = None,
         build_dir: Optional[PathLike] = None,
         test_dir: Optional[PathLike] = None,
         results_xml: Optional[str] = None,
-        pre_cmd: List[str] = [],
+        pre_cmd: Optional[List[str]] = None,
         verbose: bool = False,
-        timescale: Optional[Timescale] = None,
+        timescale: Optional[Tuple[str, str]] = None,
         log_file: Optional[PathLike] = None,
+        test_filter: Optional[str] = None,
     ) -> Path:
         """Run the tests.
 
@@ -299,11 +366,12 @@ class Simulator(abc.ABC):
                 If not set, run all testcases found in *test_module*.
                 Can be a comma-separated list.
             seed: A specific random seed to use.
-            test_args: Extra arguments for the simulator.
+            elab_args: A list of elaboration arguments for the simulator.
+            test_args: A list of extra arguments for the simulator.
             plusargs: 'plusargs' to set for the simulator.
             extra_env: Extra environment variables to set.
-            waves: Record signal traces.
-            gui: Run with simulator GUI.
+            waves: Record signal traces. Overridden by the ``WAVES`` environment variable.
+            gui: Run with simulator GUI. Overridden by the ``GUI`` environment variable.
             parameters: Verilog parameters or VHDL generics.
             build_dir: Directory the build step has been run in.
             test_dir: Directory to run the tests in.
@@ -313,8 +381,11 @@ class Simulator(abc.ABC):
                 This argument should not be set when run with ``pytest``.
             verbose: Enable verbose messages.
             pre_cmd: Commands to run before simulation begins.
+                Typically Tcl commands for simulators that support them.
             timescale: Tuple containing time unit and time precision for simulation.
             log_file: File to write the test log to.
+            test_filter: Regular expression which matches test names.
+                Only matched tests are run if this argument if given.
 
         Returns:
             The absolute location of the results XML file which can be
@@ -333,7 +404,7 @@ class Simulator(abc.ABC):
             self.test_dir = self.build_dir
         else:
             self.test_dir = get_abs_path(test_dir)
-        os.makedirs(self.test_dir, exist_ok=True)
+        self.test_dir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
 
         if isinstance(test_module, str):
             self.test_module = test_module
@@ -356,84 +427,134 @@ class Simulator(abc.ABC):
 
         self.pre_cmd = pre_cmd
 
+        self.elab_args = list(elab_args)
         self.test_args = list(test_args)
         self.plusargs = list(plusargs)
         self.env = dict(extra_env)
 
         if testcase is not None:
             if isinstance(testcase, str):
-                self.env["TESTCASE"] = testcase
+                self.env["COCOTB_TESTCASE"] = testcase
             else:
-                self.env["TESTCASE"] = ",".join(testcase)
+                self.env["COCOTB_TESTCASE"] = ",".join(testcase)
+
+        if test_filter is not None:
+            self.env["COCOTB_TEST_FILTER"] = test_filter
 
         if seed is not None:
-            self.env["RANDOM_SEED"] = str(seed)
+            self.env["COCOTB_RANDOM_SEED"] = str(seed)
 
         self.log_file = log_file
-        self.waves = bool(waves)
-        self.gui = bool(gui)
-        self.timescale: Optional[Timescale] = timescale
+        self.waves = bool(os.getenv("WAVES", waves))
+        self.gui = bool(os.getenv("GUI", gui))
+        self.timescale = timescale
 
         if verbose is not None:
             self.verbose = verbose
 
-        # When using pytest, use test name as result file name
+        # Pytest test name is used by the next couple sections.
         pytest_current_test = os.getenv("PYTEST_CURRENT_TEST", None)
-        test_dir_path = Path(self.test_dir)
-        self.current_test_name = "test"
-        if results_xml is not None:
-            # PYTEST_CURRENT_TEST only allowed when results_xml is not set
-            assert not pytest_current_test
-            results_xml_path = Path(results_xml)
-            if results_xml_path.is_absolute():
-                results_xml_file = results_xml_path
-            else:
-                results_xml_file = test_dir_path / results_xml_path
-        elif pytest_current_test is not None:
+
+        if pytest_current_test is not None:
             self.current_test_name = pytest_current_test.split(":")[-1].split(" ")[0]
-            results_xml_file = test_dir_path / f"{self.current_test_name}.{results_xml}"
         else:
-            results_xml_file = test_dir_path / "results.xml"
+            self.current_test_name = "test"
+
+        results_xml_path: Union[None, Path] = (
+            Path(results_xml) if results_xml is not None else None
+        )
+
+        # result.xml filename precedence:
+        # 1. absolute path
+        # 2. pytest test name
+        # 3. relative path
+        # 4. default name
+        if results_xml_path is not None and results_xml_path.is_absolute():
+            results_xml_file = results_xml_path
+        elif pytest_current_test is not None:
+            if results_xml_path is not None:
+                raise NotImplementedError(
+                    "Relative result_xml paths aren't supported when using pytest"
+                )
+            results_xml_file = self.test_dir / f"{self.current_test_name}.result.xml"
+        elif results_xml_path is not None:
+            results_xml_file = self.test_dir / results_xml_path
+        else:
+            results_xml_file = self.test_dir / "results.xml"
 
         with suppress(OSError):
-            os.remove(results_xml_file)
+            results_xml_file.unlink()
 
         # transport the settings to cocotb via environment variables
         self._set_env()
         self.env["COCOTB_RESULTS_FILE"] = str(results_xml_file)
 
-        cmds: Sequence[Command] = self._test_command()
-        self._execute(cmds, cwd=self.test_dir)
+        cmds: Sequence[_Command] = self._test_command()
+        simulator_exit_code: int = 0
+        try:
+            self._execute(cmds, cwd=self.test_dir)
+        except subprocess.CalledProcessError as e:
+            # It is possible for the simulator to fail but still leave results.
+            self.log.error("Simulation failed: %d", e.returncode)
+            simulator_exit_code = e.returncode
 
         # Only when running under pytest, check the results file here,
         # potentially raising an exception with failing testcases,
         # otherwise return the results file for later analysis.
         if pytest_current_test:
-            check_results_file(results_xml_file)
+            try:
+                (num_tests, num_failed) = get_results(results_xml_file)
+            except RuntimeError as e:
+                self.log.error("%s", e.args[0])
+                sys.exit(simulator_exit_code)
+            else:
+                if num_failed:
+                    self.log.error(
+                        "ERROR: Failed %d of %d tests.", num_failed, num_tests
+                    )
+                    sys.exit(1 if simulator_exit_code == 0 else simulator_exit_code)
 
-        print(f"INFO: Results file: {results_xml_file}")
+        if simulator_exit_code != 0:
+            sys.exit(simulator_exit_code)
+
+        if pytest_current_test and self._use_external_viewer() and self.gui:
+            viewer = os.getenv("COCOTB_WAVEFORM_VIEWER")
+            if viewer is not None:
+                viewer_path = shutil.which(viewer)
+                if viewer_path is None:
+                    raise ValueError(f"Cannot find {viewer} in the system path")
+            else:
+                viewer_path = shutil.which("surfer")
+                if viewer_path is None:
+                    viewer_path = shutil.which("gtkwave")
+            if viewer_path is None:
+                raise SystemError(
+                    "Cannot find any viewer (surfer or gtkwave) in the system path"
+                )
+
+            subprocess.run(
+                [f"{viewer_path} {self._waves_file()}"],
+                cwd=self.test_dir,
+                check=True,
+                shell=True,
+            )
+
+        self.log.info("Results file: %s", results_xml_file)
         return results_xml_file
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def _get_include_options(self, includes: Sequence[PathLike]) -> Command:
+    @abstractmethod
+    def _get_include_options(self, includes: Sequence[PathLike]) -> _Command:
         """Return simulator-specific formatted option strings with *includes* directories."""
 
-        raise NotImplementedError()
-
-    @staticmethod
-    def _get_define_options(self, defines: Mapping[str, object]) -> Command:
+    @abstractmethod
+    def _get_define_options(self, defines: Mapping[str, object]) -> _Command:
         """Return simulator-specific formatted option strings with *defines* macros."""
 
-        raise NotImplementedError()
-
-    @abc.abstractmethod
-    def _get_parameter_options(self, parameters: Mapping[str, object]) -> Command:
+    @abstractmethod
+    def _get_parameter_options(self, parameters: Mapping[str, object]) -> _Command:
         """Return simulator-specific formatted option strings with *parameters*/generics."""
 
-        raise NotImplementedError()
-
-    def _execute(self, cmds: Sequence[Command], cwd: PathLike) -> None:
-
+    def _execute(self, cmds: Sequence[_Command], cwd: PathLike) -> None:
         __tracebackhide__ = True  # Hide the traceback when using PyTest.
 
         if self.log_file is None:
@@ -443,77 +564,27 @@ class Simulator(abc.ABC):
                 self._execute_cmds(cmds, cwd, f)
 
     def _execute_cmds(
-        self, cmds: Sequence[Command], cwd: PathLike, stdout: Optional[TextIO] = None
+        self, cmds: Sequence[_Command], cwd: PathLike, stdout: Optional[TextIO] = None
     ) -> None:
         __tracebackhide__ = True  # Hide the traceback when using PyTest.
 
         for cmd in cmds:
-            print(f"INFO: Running command {shlex_join(cmd)} in directory {cwd}")
+            self.log.info("Running command %s in directory %s", _shlex_join(cmd), cwd)
 
             # TODO: create a thread to handle stderr and log as error?
             # TODO: log forwarding
 
             stderr = None if stdout is None else subprocess.STDOUT
-            process = subprocess.run(
-                cmd, cwd=cwd, env=self.env, stdout=stdout, stderr=stderr
+            subprocess.run(
+                cmd, cwd=cwd, env=self.env, check=True, stdout=stdout, stderr=stderr
             )
 
-            if process.returncode != 0:
-                raise SystemExit(
-                    f"Process {process.args[0]!r} terminated with error {process.returncode}"
-                )
-
-    def rm_build_folder(self, build_dir: Path):
-        if os.path.isdir(build_dir):
-            print("Removing:", build_dir)
+    def rm_build_folder(self, build_dir: Path) -> None:
+        if build_dir.is_dir():
+            self.log.info("Removing: %s", build_dir)
             shutil.rmtree(build_dir, ignore_errors=True)
 
 
-def get_results(results_xml_file: Path) -> Tuple[int, int]:
-    """Return number of tests and fails in *results_xml_file*.
-
-    Returns:
-        Tuple of number of tests and number of fails.
-
-    Raises:
-        SystemExit: *results_xml_file* is non-existent.
-    """
-
-    __tracebackhide__ = True  # Hide the traceback when using PyTest.
-
-    if not results_xml_file.is_file():
-        raise SystemExit(
-            f"ERROR: Simulation terminated abnormally. Results file {results_xml_file} not found."
-        )
-
-    num_tests = 0
-    num_failed = 0
-
-    tree = ET.parse(results_xml_file)
-    for ts in tree.iter("testsuite"):
-        for tc in ts.iter("testcase"):
-            num_tests += 1
-            for _ in tc.iter("failure"):
-                num_failed += 1
-
-    return (num_tests, num_failed)
-
-
-def check_results_file(results_xml_file: Path) -> None:
-    """Raise exception if *results_xml_file* does not exist or contains failed tests.
-
-    Raises:
-        SystemExit: *results_xml_file* is non-existent or contains fails.
-    """
-
-    __tracebackhide__ = True  # Hide the traceback when using PyTest.
-
-    (num_tests, num_failed) = get_results(results_xml_file)
-
-    if num_failed:
-        raise SystemExit(f"ERROR: Failed {num_failed} of {num_tests} tests.")
-
-
 def outdated(output: Path, dependencies: Sequence[Path]) -> bool:
     """Return ``True`` if any source files in *dependencies* are newer than the *output* directory.
 
@@ -529,8 +600,7 @@ def outdated(output: Path, dependencies: Sequence[Path]) -> bool:
     dep_mtime = 0.0
     for dependency in dependencies:
         mtime = dependency.stat().st_mtime
-        if mtime > dep_mtime:
-            dep_mtime = mtime
+        dep_mtime = max(mtime, dep_mtime)
 
     return dep_mtime > output_mtime
 
@@ -559,6 +629,10 @@ _verilog_extensions_s = ", ".join(f"`{c}`" for c in _verilog_extensions)
 
 
 class UnknownFileExtension(ValueError):
+    """Raised when a source file type cannot be determined from the file extension.
+
+    See :meth:`Runner.build() <cocotb_tools.runner.Runner.build>` for details on supported standard file extensions and the use of :class:`VHDL` and :class:`Verilog` for specifying file type."""
+
     def __init__(self, source: PathLike) -> None:
         super().__init__(
             f"Can't determine if {source} is a VHDL or Verilog file. "
@@ -571,44 +645,52 @@ def is_vhdl_source(source: PathLike) -> bool:
     if isinstance(source, VHDL):
         return True
     source_as_path = Path(source)
-    if source_as_path.suffix in _vhdl_extensions:
-        return True
-    return False
+    return source_as_path.suffix in _vhdl_extensions
 
 
 def is_verilog_source(source: PathLike) -> bool:
     if isinstance(source, Verilog):
         return True
     source_as_path = Path(source)
-    if source_as_path.suffix in _verilog_extensions:
-        return True
-    return False
+    return source_as_path.suffix in _verilog_extensions
 
 
-class Icarus(Simulator):
+class Icarus(Runner):
+    """Implementation of :class:`Runner` for Icarus.
+
+    * ``hdl_toplevel`` argument to :meth:`.build` is *required*.
+    * ``waves=True`` *must* be given to :meth:`.build` if either ``waves`` or ``gui`` are to be used during :meth:`.test`.
+    * ``timescale`` argument to :meth:`.build` must be given to support dumping the command file.
+    * Does not support the ``pre_cmd`` argument to :meth:`.test`.
+    """
+
     supported_gpi_interfaces = {"verilog": ["vpi"]}
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def _simulator_in_path() -> None:
+    def _simulator_in_path(self) -> None:
         if shutil.which("iverilog") is None:
             raise SystemExit("ERROR: iverilog executable not found!")
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def _get_include_options(includes: Sequence[PathLike]) -> Command:
+    def _get_include_options(self, includes: Sequence[PathLike]) -> _Command:
         return [f"-I{include}" for include in includes]
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def _get_define_options(defines: Mapping[str, object]) -> Command:
-        return [f"-D{name}={value}" for name, value in defines.items()]
+    def _get_define_options(self, defines: Mapping[str, object]) -> _Command:
+        return [f"-D{name}={_as_sv_literal(value)}" for name, value in defines.items()]
 
-    def _get_parameter_options(self, parameters: Mapping[str, object]) -> Command:
+    def _get_parameter_options(self, parameters: Mapping[str, object]) -> _Command:
         assert self.hdl_toplevel is not None
         return [
             f"-P{self.hdl_toplevel}.{name}={value}"
             for name, value in parameters.items()
         ]
 
+    def _use_external_viewer(self) -> bool:
+        return True
+
+    def _waves_file(self) -> Optional[str]:
+        return f"{self.hdl_toplevel}.fst"
+
     def _create_cmd_file(self) -> None:
+        assert self.timescale is not None
         with open(self.cmds_file, "w") as f:
             f.write("+timescale+{}/{}\n".format(*self.timescale))
 
@@ -617,7 +699,14 @@ class Icarus(Simulator):
         with open(self.iverilog_dump_file, "w") as f:
             f.write("module cocotb_iverilog_dump();\n")
             f.write("initial begin\n")
-            f.write(f'    $dumpfile("{dumpfile_path}");\n')
+            f.write("    string dumpfile_path;")
+            f.write(
+                '    if ($value$plusargs("dumpfile_path=%s", dumpfile_path)) begin\n'
+            )
+            f.write("        $dumpfile(dumpfile_path);\n")
+            f.write("    end else begin\n")
+            f.write(f'        $dumpfile("{dumpfile_path}");\n')
+            f.write("    end\n")
             f.write(f"    $dumpvars(0, {self.hdl_toplevel});\n")
             f.write("end\n")
             f.write("endmodule\n")
@@ -634,28 +723,33 @@ class Icarus(Simulator):
     def cmds_file(self) -> Path:
         return self.build_dir / "cmds.f"
 
-    def _test_command(self) -> List[Command]:
+    def _test_command(self) -> List[_Command]:
         plusargs = self.plusargs
-        if self.waves:
+        if self.waves or self.gui:
             plusargs += ["-fst"]
+        else:
+            # Disable waveform output
+            plusargs += ["-none"]
 
-        if self.pre_cmd:
-            print("WARNING: pre_cmd is not implemented for Icarus Verilog.")
+        if self.pre_cmd is not None:
+            raise ValueError("WARNING: pre_cmd is not implemented for Icarus Verilog.")
 
         return [
             [
                 "vvp",
                 "-M",
-                cocotb.config.libs_dir,
+                str(cocotb_tools.config.libs_dir),
                 "-m",
-                cocotb.config.lib_name("vpi", "icarus"),
+                cocotb_tools.config.lib_name("vpi", "icarus"),
+                *self.test_args,
+                str(self.sim_file),
+                *plusargs,
             ]
-            + self.test_args
-            + [str(self.sim_file)]
-            + plusargs
         ]
 
-    def _build_command(self) -> List[Command]:
+    def _build_command(self) -> List[_Command]:
+        assert self.hdl_toplevel is not None
+
         for source in self.sources:
             if not is_verilog_source(source):
                 raise ValueError(
@@ -663,8 +757,8 @@ class Icarus(Simulator):
                 )
         for arg in self.build_args:
             if type(arg) not in (str, Verilog):
-                print(
-                    f"WARNING: {type(self).__qualname__} only supports Verilog. build_args {arg!r} will not be applied."
+                raise ValueError(
+                    f"{type(self).__qualname__} only supports Verilog. build_args {arg!r} cannot be applied."
                 )
 
         build_args = list(self.build_args)
@@ -676,7 +770,7 @@ class Icarus(Simulator):
             self._create_cmd_file()
             build_args += ["-f", str(self.cmds_file)]
 
-        cmds = []
+        cmds: list[_Command] = []
         sources = [
             source for source in self.sources if is_verilog_source(source)
         ] + self.verilog_sources
@@ -686,8 +780,6 @@ class Icarus(Simulator):
                     "iverilog",
                     "-o",
                     str(self.sim_file),
-                    "-D",
-                    "COCOTB_SIM=1",
                     "-s",
                     self.hdl_toplevel,
                     "-g2012",
@@ -705,39 +797,38 @@ class Icarus(Simulator):
             ]
 
         else:
-            print("WARNING: Skipping compilation of", self.sim_file)
+            self.log.warning("Skipping compilation of %s", self.sim_file)
 
         return cmds
 
 
-class Questa(Simulator):
+class Questa(Runner):
+    """Implementation of :class:`Runner` for Questa.
+
+    * Does not support the ``timescale`` argument to :meth:`.build` or :meth:`.test`.
+    """
+
     supported_gpi_interfaces = {"verilog": ["vpi"], "vhdl": ["fli", "vhpi"]}
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def _simulator_in_path() -> None:
+    def _simulator_in_path(self) -> None:
         if shutil.which("vsim") is None:
             raise SystemExit("ERROR: vsim executable not found!")
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def _get_include_options(includes: Sequence[PathLike]) -> Command:
-        return [f"+incdir+{as_tcl_value(str(include))}" for include in includes]
+    def _get_include_options(self, includes: Sequence[PathLike]) -> _Command:
+        return [f"+incdir+{_as_tcl_value(str(include))}" for include in includes]
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def _get_define_options(defines: Mapping[str, object]) -> Command:
+    def _get_define_options(self, defines: Mapping[str, object]) -> _Command:
         return [
-            f"+define+{as_tcl_value(name)}={as_tcl_value(str(value))}"
-            for name, value in defines.items()
+            f"+define+{name}={_as_sv_literal(value)}" for name, value in defines.items()
         ]
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def _get_parameter_options(parameters: Mapping[str, object]) -> Command:
+    def _get_parameter_options(self, parameters: Mapping[str, object]) -> _Command:
         return [f"-g{name}={value}" for name, value in parameters.items()]
 
-    def _build_command(self) -> List[Command]:
-
+    def _build_command(self) -> List[_Command]:
         cmds = []
 
-        cmds.append(["vlib", as_tcl_value(self.hdl_library)])
+        cmds.append(["vlib", _as_tcl_value(self.hdl_library)])
         for source in self.sources:
             if is_vhdl_source(source):
                 cmds.append(self._build_vhdl_command(source))
@@ -752,32 +843,33 @@ class Questa(Simulator):
 
         return cmds
 
-    def _build_vhdl_command(self, source: PathLike) -> Command:
+    def _build_vhdl_command(self, source: PathLike) -> _Command:
         return (
             ["vcom"]
-            + ["-work", as_tcl_value(self.hdl_library)]
-            + [as_tcl_value(v) for v in self.build_args if type(v) in (str, VHDL)]
-            + [as_tcl_value(str(source))]
+            + ["-work", _as_tcl_value(self.hdl_library)]
+            + [_as_tcl_value(v) for v in self.build_args if type(v) in (str, VHDL)]
+            + [_as_tcl_value(str(source))]
         )
 
-    def _build_verilog_command(self, source: PathLike) -> Command:
+    def _build_verilog_command(self, source: PathLike) -> _Command:
         return (
             ["vlog"]
             + ([] if self.always else ["-incr"])
-            + ["-work", as_tcl_value(self.hdl_library)]
+            + ["-work", _as_tcl_value(self.hdl_library)]
             + ["-sv"]
             + self._get_define_options(self.defines)
             + self._get_include_options(self.includes)
-            + [as_tcl_value(v) for v in self.build_args if type(v) in (str, Verilog)]
-            + [as_tcl_value(str(source))]
+            + [_as_tcl_value(v) for v in self.build_args if type(v) in (str, Verilog)]
+            + [_as_tcl_value(str(source))]
         )
 
-    def _test_command(self) -> List[Command]:
-
+    def _test_command(self) -> List[_Command]:
         cmds = []
 
-        if self.pre_cmd:
-            self.pre_cmd = ["-do"] + self.pre_cmd
+        if self.pre_cmd is not None:
+            pre_cmd = ["-do", *self.pre_cmd]
+        else:
+            pre_cmd = []
 
         do_script = ""
         if self.waves:
@@ -791,19 +883,25 @@ class Questa(Simulator):
             lib_opts = [
                 "-foreign",
                 "cocotb_init "
-                + as_tcl_value(cocotb.config.lib_name_path("fli", "questa")),
+                + _as_tcl_value(
+                    cocotb_tools.config.lib_name_path("fli", "questa").as_posix()
+                ),
             ]
         elif gpi_if_entry == "vhpi":
             lib_opts = ["-voptargs=-access=rw+/."]
             lib_opts += [
                 "-foreign",
                 "vhpi_startup_routines_bootstrap "
-                + as_tcl_value(cocotb.config.lib_name_path("vhpi", "questa")),
+                + _as_tcl_value(
+                    cocotb_tools.config.lib_name_path("vhpi", "questa").as_posix()
+                ),
             ]
         else:
             lib_opts = [
                 "-pli",
-                as_tcl_value(cocotb.config.lib_name_path("vpi", "questa")),
+                _as_tcl_value(
+                    cocotb_tools.config.lib_name_path("vpi", "questa").as_posix()
+                ),
             ]
 
         cmds.append(
@@ -811,34 +909,42 @@ class Questa(Simulator):
             + ["-gui" if self.gui else "-c"]
             + ["-onfinish", "stop" if self.gui else "exit"]
             + lib_opts
-            + [as_tcl_value(v) for v in self.test_args]
-            + [as_tcl_value(v) for v in self._get_parameter_options(self.parameters)]
-            + [as_tcl_value(f"{self.hdl_toplevel_library}.{self.sim_hdl_toplevel}")]
-            + [as_tcl_value(v) for v in self.plusargs]
-            + self.pre_cmd
+            + [_as_tcl_value(v) for v in self.test_args]
+            + [_as_tcl_value(v) for v in self._get_parameter_options(self.parameters)]
+            + [_as_tcl_value(f"{self.hdl_toplevel_library}.{self.sim_hdl_toplevel}")]
+            + [_as_tcl_value(v) for v in self.plusargs]
+            + pre_cmd
             + ["-do", do_script]
         )
 
         gpi_extra_list = []
         for gpi_if in self.gpi_interfaces[1:]:
-            gpi_if_lib_path = cocotb.config.lib_name_path(gpi_if, "questa")
-            if Path(gpi_if_lib_path).is_file():
+            gpi_if_lib_path = cocotb_tools.config.lib_name_path(gpi_if, "questa")
+            if gpi_if_lib_path.is_file():
                 gpi_extra_list.append(
-                    cocotb.config.lib_name_path(gpi_if, "questa")
-                    + f":cocotb{gpi_if}_entry_point"
+                    gpi_if_lib_path.as_posix() + f":cocotb{gpi_if}_entry_point"
                 )
             else:
-                print("WARNING: {gpi_if_lib_path} library not found.")
+                raise RuntimeError(f"{gpi_if_lib_path} library not found.")
         self.env["GPI_EXTRA"] = ",".join(gpi_extra_list)
 
         return cmds
 
 
-class Ghdl(Simulator):
+class Ghdl(Runner):
+    """Implementation of :class:`Runner` for GHDL.
+
+    * Does not support the ``pre_cmd`` argument to :meth:`.test`.
+    """
+
     supported_gpi_interfaces = {"vhdl": ["vpi"]}
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def _simulator_in_path() -> None:
+    def _set_env(self) -> None:
+        super()._set_env()
+        if "COCOTB_TRUST_INERTIAL_WRITES" not in self.env:
+            self.env["COCOTB_TRUST_INERTIAL_WRITES"] = "1"
+
+    def _simulator_in_path(self) -> None:
         if shutil.which("ghdl") is None:
             raise SystemExit("ERROR: ghdl executable not found!")
 
@@ -853,11 +959,22 @@ class Ghdl(Simulator):
         )
         return "mcode" in result.stdout
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def _get_parameter_options(parameters: Mapping[str, object]) -> Command:
+    def _use_external_viewer(self) -> bool:
+        return True
+
+    def _waves_file(self) -> Optional[str]:
+        return f"{self.hdl_toplevel}.ghw"
+
+    def _get_include_options(self, includes: Sequence[PathLike]) -> _Command:
+        raise RuntimeError
+
+    def _get_define_options(self, defines: Mapping[str, object]) -> _Command:
+        raise RuntimeError
+
+    def _get_parameter_options(self, parameters: Mapping[str, object]) -> _Command:
         return [f"-g{name}={value}" for name, value in parameters.items()]
 
-    def _build_command(self) -> List[Command]:
+    def _build_command(self) -> List[_Command]:
         for source in self.sources:
             if not is_vhdl_source(source):
                 raise ValueError(
@@ -865,8 +982,8 @@ class Ghdl(Simulator):
                 )
         for arg in self.build_args:
             if type(arg) not in (str, VHDL):
-                print(
-                    f"WARNING: {type(self).__qualname__} only supports VHDL. build_args {arg!r} will not be applied."
+                raise ValueError(
+                    f"{type(self).__qualname__} only supports VHDL. build_args {arg!r} will not be applied."
                 )
 
         cmds = [
@@ -879,17 +996,20 @@ class Ghdl(Simulator):
 
         if self.hdl_toplevel is not None:
             cmds += [
-                ["ghdl", "-m"]
-                + [f"--work={self.hdl_library}"]
-                + self.build_args
-                + [self.hdl_toplevel]
+                [
+                    "ghdl",
+                    "-m",
+                    f"--work={self.hdl_library}",
+                    *self.build_args,
+                    self.hdl_toplevel,
+                ]
             ]
 
         return cmds
 
-    def _test_command(self) -> List[Command]:
-        if self.pre_cmd:
-            print("WARNING: pre_cmd is not implemented for GHDL.")
+    def _test_command(self) -> List[_Command]:
+        if self.pre_cmd is not None:
+            raise RuntimeError("pre_cmd is not implemented for GHDL.")
 
         ghdl_run_args = self.test_args
 
@@ -925,27 +1045,64 @@ class Ghdl(Simulator):
             + [f"--work={self.hdl_toplevel_library}"]
             + ghdl_run_args
             + [self.sim_hdl_toplevel]
-            + ["--vpi=" + cocotb.config.lib_name_path("vpi", "ghdl")]
+            + ["--vpi=" + cocotb_tools.config.lib_name_path("vpi", "ghdl").as_posix()]
             + self.plusargs
             + self._get_parameter_options(self.parameters)
+            + ([f"--wave={self._waves_file()}"] if self.waves or self.gui else [])
         ]
 
         return cmds
 
 
-class Nvc(Simulator):
+class Nvc(Runner):
+    """Implementation of :class:`Runner` for NVC.
+
+    * Does not support the ``pre_cmd`` argument to :meth:`.test`.
+    * Does not support the ``timescale`` argument to :meth:`.build` or :meth:`.test`.
+    """
+
     supported_gpi_interfaces = {"vhdl": ["vhpi"]}
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def _simulator_in_path() -> None:
+    def __init__(self) -> None:
+        super().__init__()
+
+        version_str = subprocess.run(
+            ["nvc", "--version"],
+            check=True,
+            text=True,
+            stdout=subprocess.PIPE,
+        ).stdout
+        version = NvcVersion.from_commandline(version_str)
+        if version > NvcVersion("1.16"):
+            self._preserve_case = ["--preserve-case"]
+        else:
+            self._preserve_case = []
+
+    def _set_env(self) -> None:
+        super()._set_env()
+        if "COCOTB_TRUST_INERTIAL_WRITES" not in self.env:
+            self.env["COCOTB_TRUST_INERTIAL_WRITES"] = "1"
+
+    def _simulator_in_path(self) -> None:
         if shutil.which("nvc") is None:
             raise SystemExit("ERROR: nvc executable not found!")
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def _get_parameter_options(parameters: Mapping[str, object]) -> Command:
+    def _get_include_options(self, includes: Sequence[PathLike]) -> _Command:
+        raise RuntimeError
+
+    def _get_define_options(self, defines: Mapping[str, object]) -> _Command:
+        raise RuntimeError
+
+    def _get_parameter_options(self, parameters: Mapping[str, object]) -> _Command:
         return [f"-g{name}={value}" for name, value in parameters.items()]
 
-    def _build_command(self) -> List[Command]:
+    def _use_external_viewer(self) -> bool:
+        return True
+
+    def _waves_file(self) -> Optional[str]:
+        return f"{self.hdl_toplevel}.fst"
+
+    def _build_command(self) -> List[_Command]:
         for source in self.sources:
             if not is_vhdl_source(source):
                 raise ValueError(
@@ -953,65 +1110,97 @@ class Nvc(Simulator):
                 )
         for arg in self.build_args:
             if type(arg) not in (str, VHDL):
-                print(
-                    f"WARNING: {type(self).__qualname__} only supports VHDL. build_args {arg!r} will not be applied."
+                raise ValueError(
+                    f"{type(self).__qualname__} only supports VHDL. build_args {arg!r} will not be applied."
                 )
 
         cmds = [
-            ["nvc", f"--work={self.hdl_library}"]
+            [
+                "nvc",
+                f"--work={self.hdl_library}",
+                "-L",
+                str(get_abs_path(self.build_dir)),
+            ]
             + [arg for arg in self.build_args if type(arg) in (str, VHDL)]
             + ["-a"]
             + [str(source) for source in self.sources if is_vhdl_source(source)]
             + [str(source) for source in self.vhdl_sources]
+            + self._preserve_case
         ]
 
         return cmds
 
-    def _test_command(self) -> List[Command]:
+    def _test_command(self) -> List[_Command]:
+        work_library = str(get_abs_path(self.build_dir / self.hdl_toplevel_library))
         cmds = [
-            ["nvc", f"--work={self.hdl_toplevel_library}"]
+            [
+                "nvc",
+                f"--work={self.hdl_toplevel_library}:{work_library}",
+                "-L",
+                str(get_abs_path(self.build_dir)),
+            ]
             + self.build_args
             + ["-e", self.sim_hdl_toplevel, "--no-save", "--jit"]
+            + self.elab_args
             + self._get_parameter_options(self.parameters)
             + ["-r"]
             + self.test_args
-            + ["--load=" + cocotb.config.lib_name_path("vhpi", "nvc")]
+            + ["--load=" + cocotb_tools.config.lib_name_path("vhpi", "nvc").as_posix()]
             + self.plusargs
+            + ([f"--wave={self._waves_file()}"] if self.waves or self.gui else [])
         ]
 
         return cmds
 
 
-class Riviera(Simulator):
+class Riviera(Runner):
+    """Implementation of :class:`Runner` for Riviera-PRO.
+
+    * Does not support the ``pre_cmd`` argument to :meth:`.test`.
+    * Does not support the ``gui`` argument to :meth:`.test`.
+    * Does not support the ``timescale`` argument to :meth:`.build` or :meth:`.test`.
+    """
+
     supported_gpi_interfaces = {"verilog": ["vpi"], "vhdl": ["vhpi"]}
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def _simulator_in_path() -> None:
+    def _simulator_in_path(self) -> None:
         if shutil.which("vsimsa") is None:
             raise SystemExit("ERROR: vsimsa executable not found!")
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def _get_include_options(includes: Sequence[PathLike]) -> Command:
-        return [f"+incdir+{as_tcl_value(str(include))}" for include in includes]
+    def _get_include_options(self, includes: Sequence[PathLike]) -> _Command:
+        return [f"+incdir+{_as_tcl_value(str(include))}" for include in includes]
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def _get_define_options(defines: Mapping[str, object]) -> Command:
+    def _get_define_options(self, defines: Mapping[str, object]) -> _Command:
         return [
-            f"+define+{as_tcl_value(name)}={as_tcl_value(str(value))}"
+            f"+define+{name}={self._as_define_value(value)}"
             for name, value in defines.items()
         ]
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def _get_parameter_options(parameters: Mapping[str, object]) -> Command:
+    def _as_define_value(self, value: object) -> str:
+        if isinstance(value, int):
+            return str(value)
+        elif isinstance(value, str):
+            for char in value:
+                if ord(char) < 32 or ord(char) >= 255 or char in '\\"':
+                    # Control characters are generally not supported.
+                    # Not sure if there's any way to escape quotes or backslashes.
+                    raise ValueError(
+                        f"Character {char!r} not supported in define value"
+                    )
+            return '\\"\\\\"' + value + '\\\\"\\"'
+        else:
+            raise TypeError("Can't serialize this type as an SV literal")
+
+    def _get_parameter_options(self, parameters: Mapping[str, object]) -> _Command:
         return [f"-g{name}={value}" for name, value in parameters.items()]
 
-    def _build_command(self) -> List[Command]:
+    def _build_command(self) -> List[_Command]:
         do_script: List[str] = ["onerror {\n quit -code 1 \n}"]
 
         out_file = self.build_dir / self.hdl_library / f"{self.hdl_library}.lib"
 
         if outdated(out_file, self.verilog_sources + self.vhdl_sources) or self.always:
-            do_script.append(f"alib {as_tcl_value(self.hdl_library)}")
+            do_script.append(f"alib {_as_tcl_value(self.hdl_library)}")
 
             for source in self.sources:
                 if is_verilog_source(source):
@@ -1032,74 +1221,81 @@ class Riviera(Simulator):
         # behavior.
         do_script.append("exit")
 
-        do_file = tempfile.NamedTemporaryFile(delete=False)
-        do_file.write("\n".join(do_script).encode())
-        do_file.close()
+        with tempfile.NamedTemporaryFile(delete=False) as do_file:
+            do_file.write("\n".join(do_script).encode())
 
-        return [["vsimsa"] + ["-do"] + ["do"] + [do_file.name]]
+        return [["vsimsa", "-do", "do", do_file.name]]
 
     def _build_vhdl_source(self, source: PathLike) -> str:
         return "acom -work {RTL_LIBRARY} {EXTRA_ARGS} {VHDL_SOURCES}".format(
-            RTL_LIBRARY=as_tcl_value(self.hdl_library),
-            VHDL_SOURCES=as_tcl_value(str(source)),
+            RTL_LIBRARY=_as_tcl_value(self.hdl_library),
+            VHDL_SOURCES=_as_tcl_value(str(source)),
             EXTRA_ARGS=" ".join(
-                as_tcl_value(v) for v in self.build_args if type(v) in (str, VHDL)
+                _as_tcl_value(v) for v in self.build_args if type(v) in (str, VHDL)
             ),
         )
 
     def _build_verilog_source(self, source: PathLike) -> str:
         return "alog -work {RTL_LIBRARY} -pli {EXT_NAME} -sv {DEFINES} {INCDIR} {EXTRA_ARGS} {VERILOG_SOURCES}".format(
-            RTL_LIBRARY=as_tcl_value(self.hdl_library),
-            EXT_NAME=as_tcl_value(cocotb.config.lib_name_path("vpi", "riviera")),
-            VERILOG_SOURCES=as_tcl_value(str(source)),
+            RTL_LIBRARY=_as_tcl_value(self.hdl_library),
+            EXT_NAME=_as_tcl_value(
+                cocotb_tools.config.lib_name_path("vpi", "riviera").as_posix()
+            ),
+            VERILOG_SOURCES=_as_tcl_value(str(source)),
             DEFINES=" ".join(self._get_define_options(self.defines)),
             INCDIR=" ".join(self._get_include_options(self.includes)),
             EXTRA_ARGS=" ".join(
-                as_tcl_value(v) for v in self.build_args if type(v) in (str, Verilog)
+                _as_tcl_value(v) for v in self.build_args if type(v) in (str, Verilog)
             ),
         )
 
-    def _test_command(self) -> List[Command]:
-        if self.pre_cmd:
-            print("WARNING: pre_cmd is not implemented for Riviera.")
+    def _test_command(self) -> List[_Command]:
+        if self.pre_cmd is not None:
+            raise RuntimeError("pre_cmd is not implemented for Riviera.")
 
         do_script: str = "\nonerror {\n quit -code 1 \n} \n"
 
         if self.hdl_toplevel_lang == "vhdl":
             do_script += "asim +access +w_nets -interceptcoutput -loadvhpi {EXT_NAME} {EXTRA_ARGS} {TOPLEVEL} {PLUSARGS}\n".format(
-                TOPLEVEL=as_tcl_value(
+                TOPLEVEL=_as_tcl_value(
                     f"{self.hdl_toplevel_library}.{self.sim_hdl_toplevel}"
                 ),
-                EXT_NAME=as_tcl_value(cocotb.config.lib_name_path("vhpi", "riviera")),
+                EXT_NAME=_as_tcl_value(
+                    cocotb_tools.config.lib_name_path("vhpi", "riviera").as_posix()
+                    + ":vhpi_startup_routines_bootstrap"
+                ),
                 EXTRA_ARGS=" ".join(
-                    as_tcl_value(v)
+                    _as_tcl_value(v)
                     for v in (
                         self.test_args + self._get_parameter_options(self.parameters)
                     )
                 ),
-                PLUSARGS=" ".join(as_tcl_value(v) for v in self.plusargs),
+                PLUSARGS=" ".join(_as_tcl_value(v) for v in self.plusargs),
             )
 
             self.env["GPI_EXTRA"] = (
-                cocotb.config.lib_name_path("vpi", "riviera") + ":cocotbvpi_entry_point"
+                cocotb_tools.config.lib_name_path("vpi", "riviera").as_posix()
+                + ":cocotbvpi_entry_point"
             )
         else:
             do_script += "asim +access +w_nets -interceptcoutput -pli {EXT_NAME} {EXTRA_ARGS} {TOPLEVEL} {PLUSARGS} \n".format(
-                TOPLEVEL=as_tcl_value(
+                TOPLEVEL=_as_tcl_value(
                     f"{self.hdl_toplevel_library}.{self.sim_hdl_toplevel}"
                 ),
-                EXT_NAME=as_tcl_value(cocotb.config.lib_name_path("vpi", "riviera")),
+                EXT_NAME=_as_tcl_value(
+                    cocotb_tools.config.lib_name_path("vpi", "riviera").as_posix()
+                ),
                 EXTRA_ARGS=" ".join(
-                    as_tcl_value(v)
+                    _as_tcl_value(v)
                     for v in (
                         self.test_args + self._get_parameter_options(self.parameters)
                     )
                 ),
-                PLUSARGS=" ".join(as_tcl_value(v) for v in self.plusargs),
+                PLUSARGS=" ".join(_as_tcl_value(v) for v in self.plusargs),
             )
 
             self.env["GPI_EXTRA"] = (
-                cocotb.config.lib_name_path("vhpi", "riviera")
+                cocotb_tools.config.lib_name_path("vhpi", "riviera").as_posix()
                 + ":cocotbvhpi_entry_point"
             )
 
@@ -1108,39 +1304,52 @@ class Riviera(Simulator):
 
         do_script += "run -all \nexit"
 
-        do_file = tempfile.NamedTemporaryFile(delete=False)
-        do_file.write(do_script.encode())
-        do_file.close()
+        with tempfile.NamedTemporaryFile(delete=False) as do_file:
+            do_file.write(do_script.encode())
+
+        return [["vsimsa", "-do", "do", do_file.name]]
 
-        return [["vsimsa"] + ["-do"] + ["do"] + [do_file.name]]
 
+class Verilator(Runner):
+    """Implementation of :class:`Runner` for Verilator.
+
+    * ``waves=True`` *must* be given to :meth:`.build` if either ``waves`` or ``gui`` are to be used during :meth:`.test`.
+    * Does not support the ``pre_cmd`` argument to :meth:`.test`.
+    """
 
-class Verilator(Simulator):
     supported_gpi_interfaces = {"verilog": ["vpi"]}
 
+    def _set_env(self) -> None:
+        super()._set_env()
+        if "COCOTB_TRUST_INERTIAL_WRITES" not in self.env:
+            self.env["COCOTB_TRUST_INERTIAL_WRITES"] = "1"
+
     def _simulator_in_path(self) -> None:
         # the verilator binary is only needed for building
         return
 
+    def _use_external_viewer(self) -> bool:
+        return True
+
+    def _waves_file(self) -> Optional[str]:
+        return "dump.vcd"
+
     def _simulator_in_path_build_only(self) -> None:
         executable = shutil.which("verilator")
         if executable is None:
             raise SystemExit("ERROR: verilator executable not found!")
         self.executable: str = executable
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def _get_include_options(includes: Sequence[PathLike]) -> Command:
+    def _get_include_options(self, includes: Sequence[PathLike]) -> _Command:
         return [f"-I{include}" for include in includes]
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def _get_define_options(defines: Mapping[str, object]) -> Command:
-        return [f"-D{name}={value}" for name, value in defines.items()]
+    def _get_define_options(self, defines: Mapping[str, object]) -> _Command:
+        return [f"-D{name}={_as_sv_literal(value)}" for name, value in defines.items()]
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def _get_parameter_options(parameters: Mapping[str, object]) -> Command:
+    def _get_parameter_options(self, parameters: Mapping[str, object]) -> _Command:
         return [f"-G{name}={value}" for name, value in parameters.items()]
 
-    def _build_command(self) -> List[Command]:
+    def _build_command(self) -> List[_Command]:
         self._simulator_in_path_build_only()
 
         for source in self.sources:
@@ -1150,8 +1359,8 @@ class Verilator(Simulator):
                 )
         for arg in self.build_args:
             if type(arg) not in (str, Verilog):
-                print(
-                    f"WARNING: {type(self).__qualname__} only supports Verilog. build_args {arg!r} will not be applied."
+                raise ValueError(
+                    f"{type(self).__qualname__} only supports Verilog. build_args {arg!r} will not be applied."
                 )
 
         if self.hdl_toplevel is None:
@@ -1163,11 +1372,7 @@ class Verilator(Simulator):
         # TODO: support "--always"
 
         verilator_cpp = str(
-            Path(cocotb.__file__).parent
-            / "share"
-            / "lib"
-            / "verilator"
-            / "verilator.cpp"
+            cocotb_tools.config.share_dir / "lib" / "verilator" / "verilator.cpp"
         )
 
         cmds = []
@@ -1179,7 +1384,6 @@ class Verilator(Simulator):
                 "--exe",
                 "-Mdir",
                 str(self.build_dir),
-                "-DCOCOTB_SIM=1",
                 "--top-module",
                 self.hdl_toplevel,
                 "--vpi",
@@ -1189,12 +1393,15 @@ class Verilator(Simulator):
                 "-o",
                 self.hdl_toplevel,
                 "-LDFLAGS",
-                "-Wl,-rpath,{LIB_DIR} -L{LIB_DIR} -lcocotbvpi_verilator".format(
-                    LIB_DIR=cocotb.config.libs_dir
-                ),
+                f"-Wl,-rpath,{cocotb_tools.config.libs_dir} -L{cocotb_tools.config.libs_dir} -lcocotbvpi_verilator",
             ]
             + (["--trace"] if self.waves else [])
             + [arg for arg in self.build_args if type(arg) in (str, Verilog)]
+            + (
+                ["--timescale", "{}/{}".format(*self.timescale)]
+                if self.timescale is not None
+                else []
+            )
             + self._get_define_options(self.defines)
             + self._get_include_options(self.includes)
             + self._get_parameter_options(self.parameters)
@@ -1206,6 +1413,8 @@ class Verilator(Simulator):
         cmds.append(
             [
                 "make",
+                "-j",
+                f"{_get_max_parallel_build_jobs()}",
                 "-C",
                 str(self.build_dir),
                 "-f",
@@ -1216,40 +1425,60 @@ class Verilator(Simulator):
 
         return cmds
 
-    def _test_command(self) -> List[Command]:
-        if self.pre_cmd:
-            print("WARNING: pre_cmd is not implemented for Verilator.")
+    def _test_command(self) -> List[_Command]:
+        if self.pre_cmd is not None:
+            raise RuntimeError("pre_cmd is not implemented for Verilator.")
 
         out_file = self.build_dir / self.sim_hdl_toplevel
         return [
             [str(out_file)]
-            + (["--trace"] if self.waves else [])
+            + (["--trace"] if self.waves or self.gui else [])
             + self.test_args
             + self.plusargs
         ]
 
 
-class Xcelium(Simulator):
+class Xcelium(Runner):
+    """Implementation of :class:`Runner` for Xcelium.
+
+    * Does not support the ``pre_cmd`` argument to :meth:`.test`.
+    * Does not support the ``timescale`` argument to :meth:`.build` or :meth:`.test`.
+    """
+
     supported_gpi_interfaces = {"verilog": ["vpi"], "vhdl": ["vhpi"]}
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def _simulator_in_path() -> None:
+    def _simulator_in_path(self) -> None:
         if shutil.which("xrun") is None:
             raise SystemExit("ERROR: xrun executable not found!")
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def _get_include_options(includes: Sequence[PathLike]) -> Command:
+    def _get_include_options(self, includes: Sequence[PathLike]) -> _Command:
         return [f"-incdir {include}" for include in includes]
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def _get_define_options(defines: Mapping[str, object]) -> Command:
-        return [f"-define {name}={value}" for name, value in defines.items()]
+    def _get_define_options(self, defines: Mapping[str, object]) -> _Command:
+        return [
+            f"-define {name}={self._as_define_value(value)}"
+            for name, value in defines.items()
+        ]
+
+    def _as_define_value(self, value: object) -> str:
+        if isinstance(value, int):
+            return str(value)
+        elif isinstance(value, str):
+            for char in value:
+                if ord(char) < 32 or ord(char) >= 255 or char == '"':
+                    # Control characters are generally not supported.
+                    # Not sure if there's any way to escape quotes.
+                    raise ValueError(
+                        f"Character {char!r} not supported in define value"
+                    )
+            return '"\\"' + value.replace("\\", "\\\\") + '\\""'
+        else:
+            raise TypeError("Can't serialize this type as an SV literal")
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def _get_parameter_options(parameters: Mapping[str, object]) -> Command:
+    def _get_parameter_options(self, parameters: Mapping[str, object]) -> _Command:
         return [f'-gpg "{name} => {value}"' for name, value in parameters.items()]
 
-    def _build_command(self) -> List[Command]:
+    def _build_command(self) -> List[_Command]:
         self.env["CDS_AUTO_64BIT"] = "all"
 
         assert self.hdl_toplevel, "A HDL toplevel is required in all Xcelium compiles."
@@ -1270,9 +1499,10 @@ class Xcelium(Simulator):
             verbosity_opts += ["-plinowarn"]
 
         vhpi_opts = []
-        # Xcelium 23.09.004 fixes cocotb issue #1076 as long as the
-        # following define is set.
-        vhpi_opts.append("-NEW_VHPI_PROPAGATE_DELAY")
+        if self.vhdl_sources or any(is_vhdl_source(src) for src in self.sources):
+            # Xcelium 23.09.004 fixes cocotb issue #1076 as long as the
+            # following define is set.
+            vhpi_opts.append("-NEW_VHPI_PROPAGATE_DELAY")
 
         cmds = [
             ["xrun"]
@@ -1289,13 +1519,12 @@ class Xcelium(Simulator):
             + ["-loadvpi"]
             # always start with VPI on Xcelium
             + [
-                cocotb.config.lib_name_path("vpi", "xcelium")
+                cocotb_tools.config.lib_name_path("vpi", "xcelium").as_posix()
                 + ":vlog_startup_routines_bootstrap"
             ]
             + vhpi_opts
             + [f"-work {self.hdl_library}"]
             + self.build_args
-            + ["-define COCOTB_SIM"]
             + self._get_include_options(self.includes)
             + self._get_define_options(self.defines)
             + self._get_parameter_options(self.parameters)
@@ -1310,9 +1539,9 @@ class Xcelium(Simulator):
 
         return cmds
 
-    def _test_command(self) -> List[Command]:
-        if self.pre_cmd:
-            print("WARNING: pre_cmd is not implemented for Xcelium.")
+    def _test_command(self) -> List[_Command]:
+        if self.pre_cmd is not None:
+            raise RuntimeError("pre_cmd is not implemented for Xcelium.")
 
         self.env["CDS_AUTO_64BIT"] = "all"
 
@@ -1349,39 +1578,242 @@ class Xcelium(Simulator):
             input_tcl = ["-input", "@run; exit;"]
 
         vhpi_opts = []
-        # Xcelium 23.09.004 fixes cocotb issue #1076 as long as the
-        # following define is set.
-        vhpi_opts.append("-NEW_VHPI_PROPAGATE_DELAY")
+        if self.vhdl_sources or any(is_vhdl_source(src) for src in self.sources):
+            # Xcelium 23.09.004 fixes cocotb issue #1076 as long as the
+            # following define is set.
+            vhpi_opts.append("-NEW_VHPI_PROPAGATE_DELAY")
 
         cmds = [["mkdir", "-p", tmpdir]]
         cmds += [
-            ["xrun"]
-            + ["-logfile"]
-            + [f"xrun_{self.current_test_name}.log"]
-            + ["-xmlibdirname"]
-            + [f"{self.build_dir}/xrun_snapshot"]
-            + ["-cds_implicit_tmpdir"]
-            + [tmpdir]
-            + ["-licqueue"]
-            + vhpi_opts
-            + verbosity_opts
-            + ["-R"]
-            + self.test_args
-            + self.plusargs
-            + ["-gui" if self.gui else ""]
-            + input_tcl
+            [
+                "xrun",
+                "-logfile",
+                f"xrun_{self.current_test_name}.log",
+                "-xmlibdirname",
+                f"{self.build_dir}/xrun_snapshot",
+                "-cds_implicit_tmpdir",
+                tmpdir,
+                "-licqueue",
+                *vhpi_opts,
+                *verbosity_opts,
+                "-R",
+                *self.test_args,
+                *self.plusargs,
+                "-gui" if self.gui else "",
+                *input_tcl,
+            ]
         ]
         self.env["GPI_EXTRA"] = (
-            cocotb.config.lib_name_path("vhpi", "xcelium") + ":cocotbvhpi_entry_point"
+            cocotb_tools.config.lib_name_path("vhpi", "xcelium").as_posix()
+            + ":cocotbvhpi_entry_point"
         )
 
         return cmds
 
 
-def get_runner(simulator_name: str) -> Simulator:
-    """Return the *simulator_name* instance."""
+class Vcs(Runner):
+    """Implementation of :class:`Runner` for VCS.
+
+    * Does not support the ``pre_cmd`` argument to :meth:`.test`.
+    * Does not support VHDL.
+    * Does not support the ``timescale`` argument to :meth:`.build` or :meth:`.test`.
+    """
+
+    supported_gpi_interfaces = {"verilog": ["vpi"]}
+
+    def _simulator_in_path(self) -> None:
+        if shutil.which("vcs") is None:
+            raise SystemExit("ERROR: vcs executable not found!")
+
+    def _get_include_options(self, includes: Sequence[PathLike]) -> _Command:
+        return [f"+incdir+{include}" for include in includes]
+
+    def _get_define_options(self, defines: Mapping[str, object]) -> _Command:
+        return [
+            f"+define+{name}={_as_sv_literal(value)}" for name, value in defines.items()
+        ]
+
+    def _get_parameter_options(self, parameters: Mapping[str, object]) -> _Command:
+        assert self.hdl_toplevel is not None
+        return [
+            f"-pvalue+{self.hdl_toplevel}.{name}={value}"
+            for name, value in parameters.items()
+        ]
+
+    @property
+    def sim_file(self) -> Path:
+        return self.build_dir / "simv"
+
+    @property
+    def _build_opts(self) -> List[str]:
+        opts = [
+            "-full64",
+            "-debug_access+all",
+            "+acc+3",
+            "-sverilog",
+            "-LDFLAGS -Wl,--no-as-needed",
+        ]
+
+        if self.verbose:
+            opts += ["-diag all"]
+        else:
+            opts += ["-q"]
+            opts += ["-suppress=VPI-CT-NS"]
+
+        return opts
+
+    def _build_command(self) -> List[_Command]:
+        cmds: List[_Command] = []
+        sources = list(self.sources + self.vhdl_sources + self.verilog_sources)
+
+        if outdated(self.sim_file, sources) or self.always:
+            cmds = [
+                ["vcs"]
+                + self._build_opts
+                + ["-load", cocotb_tools.config.lib_name_path("vpi", "vcs").as_posix()]
+                + self.build_args
+                + self._get_include_options(self.includes)
+                + self._get_define_options(self.defines)
+                + self._get_parameter_options(self.parameters)
+                + ["-top", f"{self.hdl_toplevel}"]
+                + [str(source) for source in sources]
+                + ["-o", str(self.sim_file)]
+            ]
+        else:
+            self.log.warning("Skipping compilation of %s", self.sim_file)
+
+        return cmds
+
+    def _test_command(self) -> List[_Command]:
+        if self.pre_cmd is not None:
+            raise RuntimeError("pre_cmd is not implemented for Vcs.")
+
+        verbosity_opts = []
+        if self.verbose:
+            verbosity_opts += ["-diag all"]
+        else:
+            verbosity_opts += ["-suppress=ASLR_DETECTED_INFO"]
+
+        cmds = [[str(self.sim_file), *verbosity_opts, *self.test_args, *self.plusargs]]
+
+        return cmds
+
+
+class Dsim(Runner):
+    """Implementation of :class:`Runner` for DSim.
+
+    * Does not support the ``pre_cmd`` argument to :meth:`.test`.
+    """
+
+    supported_gpi_interfaces = {"verilog": ["vpi"]}
+
+    def _simulator_in_path(self) -> None:
+        if shutil.which("dsim") is None:
+            raise SystemExit("ERROR: dsim executable not found!")
+
+    def _get_include_options(self, includes: Sequence[PathLike]) -> _Command:
+        return [f"+incdir+{include}" for include in includes]
+
+    def _get_define_options(self, defines: Mapping[str, object]) -> _Command:
+        return [
+            f"+define+{name}={_as_sv_literal(value)}" for name, value in defines.items()
+        ]
+
+    def _get_parameter_options(self, parameters: Mapping[str, object]) -> _Command:
+        return [
+            f"-defparam {name}={_as_sv_literal(value)}"
+            for name, value in parameters.items()
+        ]
+
+    @property
+    def sim_file(self) -> Path:
+        return self.build_dir / "image.so"
+
+    def _use_external_viewer(self) -> bool:
+        return True
+
+    def _waves_file(self) -> Optional[str]:
+        return "file.vcd"
+
+    def _test_command(self) -> List[_Command]:
+        plusargs = self.plusargs
+        if self.waves or self.gui:
+            plusargs += [f"-waves {self._waves_file()}"]
+
+        if self.timescale:
+            plusargs += ["-timescale {}/{}".format(*self.timescale)]
+        if self.pre_cmd is not None:
+            raise ValueError("WARNING: pre_cmd is not implemented for DSim.")
+
+        return [
+            [
+                "dsim",
+                "-work",
+                str(self.build_dir),
+                "-pli_lib",
+                cocotb_tools.config.lib_name_path("vpi", "dsim").as_posix(),
+                "+acc+rwcbfsWF",
+                "-image",
+                "image",
+                *self.test_args,
+                *plusargs,
+            ]
+        ]
+
+    def _build_command(self) -> List[_Command]:
+        for source in self.sources:
+            if not is_verilog_source(source):
+                raise ValueError(
+                    f"{type(self).__qualname__} only supports Verilog. {str(source)!r} cannot be compiled."
+                )
+        for arg in self.build_args:
+            if type(arg) not in (str, Verilog):
+                raise ValueError(
+                    f"{type(self).__qualname__} only supports Verilog. build_args {arg!r} cannot be applied."
+                )
+
+        build_args = list(self.build_args)
+
+        cmds: list[_Command] = []
+        sources = [
+            source for source in self.sources if is_verilog_source(source)
+        ] + self.verilog_sources
+        if outdated(self.sim_file, sources) or self.always:
+            cmds = [
+                [
+                    "dsim",
+                    "-work",
+                    str(self.build_dir),
+                    "-pli_lib",
+                    cocotb_tools.config.lib_name_path("vpi", "dsim").as_posix(),
+                    "+acc+rwcbfsWF",
+                    "-genimage",
+                    "image",
+                ]
+                + self._get_define_options(self.defines)
+                + self._get_include_options(self.includes)
+                + self._get_parameter_options(self.parameters)
+                + [arg for arg in build_args if type(arg) in (str, Verilog)]
+                + [str(source_file) for source_file in sources]
+            ]
+
+        else:
+            self.log.warning("Skipping compilation of %s", self.sim_file)
+
+        return cmds
+
+
+def get_runner(simulator_name: str) -> Runner:
+    """Return an instance of a runner for *simulator_name*.
+
+    Args:
+        simulator_name: Name of simulator to get runner for.
+
+    Raises:
+        ValueError: If *simulator_name* is not one of the supported simulators or an alias of one.
+    """
 
-    supported_sims: Dict[str, Type[Simulator]] = {
+    supported_sims: Dict[str, Type[Runner]] = {
         "icarus": Icarus,
         "questa": Questa,
         "ghdl": Ghdl,
@@ -1389,7 +1821,8 @@ def get_runner(simulator_name: str) -> Simulator:
         "verilator": Verilator,
         "xcelium": Xcelium,
         "nvc": Nvc,
-        # TODO: "vcs": Vcs,
+        "vcs": Vcs,
+        "dsim": Dsim,
         # TODO: "activehdl": ActiveHdl,
     }
     try: