How to simulate a Xilinx FPGA?

Question

Programming

As far as I understand, ModelSim is widely used for Altera, and for Xilinx?

Answer 1

Xilinx ISE and Xilinx Vivado include the Isim simulator. For simple and medium tasks, its functionality is enough. Any of these IDEs also support modeling in Modelsim, but I have not yet had any special needs for a more powerful, but also paid Modelsim.
By the way. I can't be sure, but as far as I know, Xilinx provides a 30-day trial for their products - so you can try to model your source code under Xilinx.
Also, the cost of an IDE depends on the configuration, and for simple tasks, the no longer supported Xilinx ISE is enough (it works with the Virtex4-Virtex7 series FPGAs). Vivado supports Virtex-7 and all the following as it comes.

Answer 2

Xilinx FPGAs can be simulated in any simulator, not necessarily in Xilinx ISE and Xilinx Vivado, although they will be needed in order to compile the libraries of the selected family for the simulator of your choice. Here are the top three:

• Mentor Modelsim
  
• Cadence IUS
  
• Synopsys VCS
  

Answer 3

The Vivado IDE includes everything you need for modeling. What exactly is modeled - xs, but a license for vivado costs crazy money (3-5 thousand dollars per seat).