I a retired person with limited resources and I've always been interested in CPU design, so now that I have time I wanted to give it a go using FPGAs to design simple CPUs.
I would like some advice on several topics, one being which HDL language to learn first, although Verilog seems simpler I've read articles that encourages beginners to start with VHDL, although it seems more wordy, I believe it will help eliminate more dumb mistakes so I'm leaning that way. What is your advice?
Another is which logic families/companies make products that are inexpensive and have good features useful in creating CPUs and DSP type products as I also am interested in Software Defined Radios.
I have purchase for a starter kit a Lattice Brevia2 kit as it was inexpensive and has low power consumption, so I assume will be easier to use in the beginning. It's a simple device with 5K LUTs which seems to be enough for some of the simple processors that I'm interested in to start with, CPUs such as the J1 for starters. From some time back I've have a Xilinx Spartan 3 Started kit that I have not used, I plan to use it later for more complex designs.
Your opinions and advice is welcomed.