Can I use generate-endgenerate block inside initial in SystemVerilog?

Question

For e.g.

initial
begin

generate
for(genvar i; i < 4; i++)
//Code
endgenerate

end //initial

I'm getting error using QuestaSim with the concept. "Near generate: syntax error, unexpected generate "

Answer 1

No. generate blocks are evaluated during elaboration time. While initial,always and other procedural blocks start at zero simulation time, that is, run-time. Referring to Systemverilog IEEE 1800-2012 :

Generate schemes are evaluated during elaboration of the design. Although generate schemes use syntax that is similar to behavioral statements, it is important to recognize that they do not execute at simulation time.

They are evaluated at elaboration time, and the result is determined before simulation begins. Therefore, all expressions in generate schemes shall be constant expressions, deterministic at elaboration time.

In Verilog, instantiating a module means adding extra hardware to the board.

This hardware must be added before simulation starts(i.e. at compile time). You can not add/remove hardware during run time. You can either conditionally instantiate a module or multiply instantiate it, but never at run time.

Refer generate block syntax error question for an idea about your error. Also, refer this question for generate and genvar understanding. Referring IEEE 1800-2012 Chapter 27 for more information.

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EDIT:

To create and pass multiple interface instances, the total number of interface instances must be governed by some parameter or macro. You can use this parameter in for loop in generate block to create distinct instances and set each of them using different key as follows:

  // Generate multiple instances of interface
  genvar i;
  generate
    for(i=0;i<NUM_OF_INTERFACES;i++)
    begin
      // Generate clk with different period for each instance
      always #(i+1) clk[i] = ~clk[i];

      inter in(clk[i]);  // Create multiple instances here

    initial
      begin
        // Set each and every instance
        uvm_config_db#(virtual inter)::set(null,"*",$sformatf("in_%0d",i),in);
      end
    end
  endgenerate

A complete example is created at EDAPlayground Multiple Interface link. Creating multiple instances can be referred from this question.