EDA in digital design-means or ends?

Early introduction of Electronic Design Automation (EDA) in computer engineering curriculum, becomes a growing concern in academia. Deficient standards and lack of uniform suit of tools call for educated selection from the available multitude and thus discourage emphasis on EDA, in particular early on in undergraduate studies. However, during advanced courses, EDA is not only a necessary means but frequently becomes the goal of a project or graduate research. This paper attempts to reconcile these propensities.