Organization and Basis of Presentation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Organization and Basis of Presentation [Abstract]

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]

Organization and Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Altera Corporation and its subsidiaries, collectively referred to herein as “Altera”, “we”, “us”, or “our”, have been prepared by us in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information. This financial information reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of our management, of a normal recurring nature and necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods presented. The December 31, 2010 consolidated balance sheet data was derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included in our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. The consolidated financial statements include our accounts as well as those of our wholly-owned subsidiaries after elimination of all significant inter-company balances and transactions.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2010 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. The consolidated operating results for the three or nine months ended September 30, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future period.