What is Xilinx ISE?

Xilinx ISE (Integrated Synthesis Environment) was a software tool from Xilinx used for synthesis and analysis of HDL designs, enabling the developer to synthesize (compile) their designs, perform timing analysis, examine RTL diagrams, simulate a design's reaction to different stimuli, and configure the target device with the programmer. It primarily supported Xilinx Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD) families. While powerful, Xilinx ISE has been superseded by the Vivado Design Suite for newer Xilinx devices.