How to not assign outputs to any pins and avoid being optimized out

[Altera_Forum]

Hello, 

Is it a must to assign outputs of circuit to pins in FPGA? I have a ASIC design of an AES cipher that I want to test on FPGA, but I don't really want to connect the outputs of the circuit to any pin, is this possible cause I am afraid that Quartus will optimize the circuit out. Thank you

[Altera_Forum]

Hi,  

 use Assingment Editor and assign them as a virtual pin.

[Altera_Forum]

How do you intend to test your design on an FPGA if you don't assign the outputs to anything? 

Quartus will only remove bits of the circuit which will have no affect (e.g. unconnected outputs).