I am trying to bring up the DE10 Nano kit that has Cyclone V FPGA using the open source Cascade compiler https://github.com/vmware/cascade from VMware. It uses Quartus Lite edition by calling Quartus command line tools.

Compilation fails:

Warning (292011): Can't generate programming files because you are currently using the Quartus Prime software in Evaluation Mode.

But the website says that Quartus Lite doesn't require license: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/programmab...

I am confused now, do I really need a license just to try a simple design? Why does their website say otherwise?

Is there a time_limited.sof file in your quartus directory?

No, there's no such file.

OK. So I don't think this a licensing error...

As the Lite edition can program Cyclone V, it should work...

Can you check for Quartus revision in the 'About Quartus Prime' windows (in GUI mode, help menu). It seems that your error message indicates that you are in evaluation version.

How do you install your Quartus software (with Cascade compiler or directly through Intel website)? Maybe you should re-install and/or take the latest version in Intel website?

Never mind, the problem was that I had Quartus Prime installed, because their installers are bundled together. After updating to Lite I was able to compile.

Thank you for your help!