Synopsys (SNPS) 10-Q 24 Feb 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 20, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Jan-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	SNPS
Entity Registrant Name	SYNOPSYS INC
Entity Central Index Key	883241
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-21
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		153,686,533

Unaudited_Condensed_Consolidat

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$796,824	$985,762	[1]
Short-term investments	120,238	0	[1]
Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments	917,062	985,762	[1]
Accounts receivable, net	283,007	326,727	[1]
Deferred income taxes	95,800	111,449	[1]
Income taxes receivable and prepaid taxes	28,089	26,496	[1]
Prepaid and other current assets	92,315	54,301	[1]
Total current assets	1,416,273	1,504,735	[1]
Property and equipment, net	256,092	249,098	[1]
Goodwill	2,245,920	2,255,708	[1]
Intangible assets, net	332,385	365,030	[1]
Long-term prepaid taxes	4,501	17,645	[1]
Long-term deferred income taxes	227,715	208,156	[1]
Other long-term assets	179,463	175,127	[1]
Total assets	4,662,349	4,775,499	[1]
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	242,335	397,113	[1]
Accrued income taxes	12,024	31,404	[1]
Deferred revenue	823,745	928,242	[1]
Short-term debt	265,000	30,000	[1]
Total current liabilities	1,343,104	1,386,759	[1]
Long-term accrued income taxes	42,154	50,952	[1]
Long-term deferred revenue	98,413	77,646	[1]
Long-term debt	37,500	45,000	[1]
Other long-term liabilities	204,157	158,972	[1]
Total liabilities	1,725,328	1,719,329	[1]
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value: 2,000 shares authorized; none outstanding	0	0	[1]
Common stock, $0.01 par value: 400,000 shares authorized; 153,457 and 155,965 shares outstanding, respectively	1,535	1,560	[1]
Capital in excess of par value	1,586,965	1,614,603	[1]
Retained earnings	1,608,758	1,551,592	[1]
Treasury stock, at cost: 3,807 and 1,299 shares, respectively	-162,992	-49,496	[1]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-97,245	-62,089	[1]
Total stockholders’ equity	2,937,021	3,056,170	[1]
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$4,662,349	$4,775,499	[1]
[1]	Derived from audited financial statements.

Unaudited_Condensed_Consolidat1

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred Stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01	[1]
Preferred Stock, shares authorized	2,000,000	2,000,000	[1]
Preferred Stock, shares outstanding	0	0	[1]
Common Stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01	[1]
Common Stock, shares authorized	400,000,000	400,000,000	[1]
Common Stock, shares outstanding	153,457,000	155,965,000	[1]
Treasury stock, shares	3,807,000	1,299,000	[1]
[1]	Derived from audited financial statements.

Unaudited_Condensed_Consolidat2

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Revenue:
Time-based license	$431,026	$400,146
Upfront license	46,480	33,972
Maintenance and service	64,537	44,833
Total revenue	542,043	478,951
Cost of revenue:
License	70,784	62,825
Maintenance and service	27,983	20,271
Amortization of intangible assets	25,866	22,753
Total cost of revenue	124,633	105,849
Gross margin	417,410	373,102
Operating expenses:
Research and development	181,610	167,543
Sales and marketing	106,169	105,792
General and administrative	36,354	34,233
Amortization of intangible assets	6,442	5,378
Restructuring charges	15,336	0
Total operating expenses	345,911	312,946
Operating income	71,499	60,156
Other income (expense), net	5,116	11,028
Income before provision for income taxes	76,615	71,184
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	11,426	3,488
Net income	$65,189	$67,696
Net income per share:
Basic (in USD per share)	$0.42	$0.44
Diluted (in USD per share)	$0.41	$0.43
Shares used in computing per share amounts:
Basic (shares)	154,458	154,066
Diluted (shares)	157,206	156,756

Unaudited_Condensed_Consolidat3

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$65,189	$67,696
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment	-23,453	-13,849
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax of $0 for periods presented	17	0
Cash flow hedges:
Deferred gains (losses), net of tax of $4,845 and $1,329, respectively	-12,775	-575
Reclassification adjustment on deferred (gains) losses included in net income, net of tax of $(390) and $294, respectively	1,055	-3,306
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax effects	-35,156	-17,730
Comprehensive income	$30,033	$49,966

Unaudited_Condensed_Consolidat4

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Deferred gains (losses), tax	$4,845	$1,329
Reclassification adjustment on deferred (gains) losses included in net income, tax	-390	294
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, tax	$0	$0

Unaudited_Condensed_Consolidat5

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015		Jan. 31, 2014
Cash flow from operating activities:
Net income	$65,189		$67,696
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Amortization and depreciation	50,529		43,714
Stock compensation	20,581		18,118
Allowance for doubtful accounts	300		-400
Deferred income taxes	-158		5,891
(Gain) loss on sale of investments	-12		-6,529
Net changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquired assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	40,857		7,910
Prepaid and other current assets	-42,860		-13,635
Other long-term assets	-7,597		-6,695
Accounts payable and other liabilities	-125,320		-134,902
Income taxes	-14,024		-10,068
Deferred revenue	-74,828		-44,992
Net cash used in operating activities	-87,343		-73,892
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sales of long-term investments	0		6,791
Proceeds from sales and maturities of short-term investments	8,012		0
Purchases of short-term investments	-128,427		0
Purchases of property and equipment	-19,607		-14,353
Cash paid for intangible assets	0		-900
Capitalization of software development costs	-909		-902
Net cash used in investing activities	-140,931		-9,364
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from credit facility	250,000		0
Repayment of debt	-22,723		-7,748
Issuances of common stock	10,542		21,581
Purchase of equity forward contract	-36,000		0
Purchases of treasury stock	-144,000	[1]	-54,747
Other	-14		-111
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	57,805		-41,025
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-18,469		-5,107
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-188,938		-129,388
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	985,762	[2]	1,022,441
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$796,824		$893,053
[1]	Does not include $36.0 million equity forward contract related to the above-referenced 2015 ASR.
[2]	Derived from audited financial statements.

Description_of_Business

Description of Business	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Description of Business	Description of Business
	Synopsys, Inc. (Synopsys or the Company) is a global leader in providing software, intellectual property and services used to design integrated circuits and electronic systems. The Company supplies the electronic design automation (EDA) software that engineers use to design, create prototypes for and test integrated circuits, also known as chips. The Company also offers intellectual property (IP) products, which are pre-designed circuits that engineers use as components of larger chip designs rather than designing those circuits themselves. The Company provides software and hardware used to develop the electronic systems that incorporate chips and the software that runs on them. To complement these product offerings, the Company provides technical services to support these solutions and help its customers develop chips and electronic systems. The Company is also a leading provider of software tools that developers use to improve the quality, security and time-to-market of software code in a wide variety of industries, including electronics, financial services, energy, and industrials.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	The Company has prepared the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Pursuant to these rules and regulations, the Company has condensed or omitted certain information and footnote disclosures it normally includes in its annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). In management’s opinion, the Company has made all adjustments (consisting only of normal, recurring adjustments, except as otherwise indicated) necessary to fairly present its unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets, results of operations, comprehensive income and cash flows. The Company’s interim period operating results do not necessarily indicate the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full fiscal year. These financial statements and accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in Synopsys’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2014 as filed with the SEC on December 15, 2014.
	Use of Estimates. To prepare financial statements in conformity with GAAP, management must make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates and may result in material effects on the Company’s operating results and financial position.
	Principles of Consolidation. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
	Fiscal Year End. The Company’s fiscal year generally ends on the Saturday nearest to October 31 and consists of 52 weeks, with the exception that approximately every five years, the Company has a 53-week year. When a 53-week year occurs, the Company includes the additional week in the first quarter to realign fiscal quarters with calendar quarters. Fiscal 2015 and 2014 are both 52-week years. The first fiscal quarters of fiscal 2015 and 2014 ended on January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014, respectively, and the prior year ended on November 1, 2014. For presentation purposes, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes refer to the closest calendar month end.
	Subsequent Events. The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date that these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements were issued.

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	Goodwill as of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014 consisted of the following:
		(in thousands)
	As of October 31, 2014	$	2,255,708
	Additions	—
	Effect of foreign currency translation	(9,788		)
	As of January 31, 2015	$	2,245,920
	Intangible assets as of January 31, 2015 consisted of the following:
		Gross			Accumulated		Net Assets
		Assets			Amortization
		(in thousands)
	Core/developed technology	$	490,929		$	316,714	$	174,215
	Customer relationships	209,984			97,829		112,155
	Contract rights intangible	145,616			116,389		29,227
	Covenants not to compete	2,530			2,530		—
	Trademarks and trade names	18,779			8,464		10,315
	In-process research and development (IPR&D)(1)	2,400			—		2,400
	Capitalized software development costs	22,738			18,665		4,073
	Total	$	892,976		$	560,591	$	332,385
	Intangible assets as of October 31, 2014 consisted of the following:
		Gross			Accumulated		Net Assets
		Assets			Amortization
		(in thousands)
	Core/developed technology	$	490,242		$	298,705	$	191,537
	Customer relationships	210,172			92,146		118,026
	Contract rights intangible	146,364			109,067		37,297
	Covenants not to compete	2,530			2,530		—
	Trademarks and trade names	18,779			7,765		11,014
	In-process research and development (IPR&D)(1)	3,086			—		3,086
	Capitalized software development costs	21,829			17,759		4,070
	Total	$	893,002		$	527,972	$	365,030
	-1	IPR&D is reclassified to core/developed technology upon completion or is written off upon abandonment.
	Amortization expense related to intangible assets consisted of the following:
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Core/developed technology	$	18,009		$	15,621
	Customer relationships	5,748			5,053
	Contract rights intangible	7,852			7,126
	Covenants not to compete	—			17
	Trademarks and trade names	699			314
	Capitalized software development costs(1)	906			864
	Total	$	33,214		$	28,995
	-1	Amortization of capitalized software development costs is included in cost of license revenue in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
	The following table presents the estimated future amortization of intangible assets:
	Fiscal Year	(in thousands)
	Remainder of fiscal 2015	$	95,690
	2016	92,056
	2017	55,627
	2018	40,298
	2019	20,645
	2020 and thereafter	25,669
	IPR&D(1)	2,400
	Total	$	332,385
	-1	IPR&D projects are estimated to be completed within one year as of January 31, 2015. Assets are amortized over their useful life upon completion of the project or are written off upon abandonment.

Financial_Assets_and_Liabiliti

Financial Assets and Liabilities	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Financial Assets And Liabilities [Abstract]
Financial Assets and Liabilities	Financial Assets and Liabilities
	Cash equivalents and short-term investments. The Company classifies time deposits and other investments with maturities less than three months as cash equivalents. Debt securities and other investments with maturities longer than three months are classified as short-term investments. The Company’s investments generally have a term of less than three years and are classified as available-for-sale carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax. Those unrealized gains or losses deemed other than temporary are reflected in other income (expense), net. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method and realized gains and losses are included in other income (expense), net.
	During the first fiscal quarter of 2015, the Company made investments in available-for-sale securities, as follows:
	As of January 31, 2015	Cost				Gross			Gross			Gross		Estimated
						Unrealized			Unrealized			Unrealized		Fair Value(1)
						Gains			Losses Less Than 12 Months			Losses 12 Months or Longer
		(in thousands)
	Cash equivalents:
	Certificates of deposit	$	2,400			$	—		$	—		$	—	$	2,400
	Money market funds	377,370				—			—			—		377,370
	Commercial paper	8,697				—			—			—		8,697
	Total:	388,467				—			—			—		388,467
	Short-term investments:
	U.S. government agency securities	17,928				8			—			—		17,936
	Municipal bonds	1,405				—			(2		)	—		1,403
	Certificates of deposit	3,400				—			—			—		3,400
	Commercial paper	7,090				—			—			—		7,090
	Corporate debt securities	67,160				26			(18		)	—		67,168
	Asset-backed securities	23,238				5			(2		)	—		23,241
	Total:	120,221				39			(22		)	—		120,238
	-1	See Note 5. Fair Value Measures for further discussion on fair values of cash equivalents and short-term investments.
	As of January 31, 2015 the stated maturities of the Company's short-term investments are:
		Amortized Cost				Fair Value
		(in thousands)
	Due in 1 year or less	$	64,421			$	64,414
	Due in 1-5 years	55,800				55,824
	Total	$	120,221			$	120,238
	Non-marketable equity securities. The Company’s strategic investment portfolio consists of non-marketable equity securities in privately-held companies. The securities accounted for under cost method investments are reported at cost net of impairment losses. Securities accounted for under equity method investments are recorded at cost plus the proportional share of the issuers’ income or loss, which is recorded in the Company’s other income (expense), net. The cost basis of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. Refer to Note 5. Fair Value Measures.
	Derivatives. The Company recognizes derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements at fair value and provides qualitative and quantitative disclosures about such derivatives. The Company operates internationally and is exposed to potentially adverse movements in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company enters into hedges in the form of foreign currency forward contracts to reduce its exposure to foreign currency rate changes on non-functional currency denominated forecasted transactions and balance sheet positions including: (1) certain assets and liabilities, (2) shipments forecasted to occur within approximately one month, (3) future billings and revenue on previously shipped orders, and (4) certain future intercompany invoices denominated in foreign currencies.
	The duration of forward contracts ranges from approximately one month to 22 months, the majority of which are short-term. The Company does not use foreign currency forward contracts for speculative or trading purposes. The Company enters into foreign exchange forward contracts with high credit quality financial institutions that are rated ‘A’ or above and to date has not experienced nonperformance by counterparties. Further, the Company anticipates continued performance by all counterparties to such agreements.
	The assets or liabilities associated with the forward contracts are recorded at fair value in other current assets or accrued liabilities in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. The accounting for gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value depends on the use of the foreign currency forward contract and whether it is designated and qualifies for hedge accounting.
	Cash Flow Hedging Activities
	Certain foreign exchange forward contracts are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges. These contracts have durations of approximately 22 months or less. Certain forward contracts are rolled over periodically to capture the full length of exposure to the Company’s foreign currency risk, which can be up to three years. To receive hedge accounting treatment, all hedging relationships are formally documented at the inception of the hedge, and the hedges must be highly effective in offsetting changes to future cash flows on the hedged transactions. The effective portion of gains or losses resulting from changes in fair value of these hedges is initially reported, net of tax, as a component of other comprehensive income (OCI), in stockholders’ equity and reclassified into revenue or operating expenses, as appropriate, at the time the hedged transactions affect earnings. The Company expects a majority of the hedge balance in OCI to be reclassified to the statements of operations within the next twelve months.
	Hedging effectiveness is evaluated monthly using spot rates, with any gain or loss caused by hedging ineffectiveness recorded in other income (expense), net. The premium/discount component of the forward contracts is recorded to other income (expense), net, and is not included in evaluating hedging effectiveness.
	Non-designated Hedging Activities
	The Company’s foreign exchange forward contracts that are used to hedge non-functional currency denominated balance sheet assets and liabilities are not designated as hedging instruments. Accordingly, any gains or losses from changes in the fair value of the forward contracts are recorded in other income (expense), net. The gains and losses on these forward contracts generally offset the gains and losses associated with the underlying assets and liabilities, which are also recorded in other income (expense), net. The duration of the forward contracts for hedging the Company’s balance sheet exposure is approximately one month.
	The Company also has certain foreign exchange forward contracts for hedging certain international revenues and expenses that are not designated as hedging instruments. Accordingly, any gains or losses from changes in the fair value of the forward contracts are recorded in other income (expense), net. The gains and losses on these forward contracts generally offset the gains and losses associated with the foreign currency in operating income. The duration of these forward contracts is usually less than one year. The overall goal of the Company’s hedging program is to minimize the impact of currency fluctuations on its net income over its fiscal year.
	The effects of the changes in the fair values of non-designated forward contracts are summarized as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
		2015				2014
		(in thousands)
	Gain (loss) recorded in other income (expense), net	$	(2,758	)		$	(943	)
	The notional amounts in the table below for derivative instruments provide one measure of the transaction volume outstanding:
		As of January 31, 2015				As of October 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
	Total gross notional amount	$	732,766			$	793,937
	Net fair value	$	(6,894	)		$	(2,455	)
	The notional amounts for derivative instruments do not represent the amount of the Company’s exposure to market gain or loss. The Company’s exposure to market gain or loss will vary over time as a function of currency exchange rates. The amounts ultimately realized upon settlement of these financial instruments, together with the gains and losses on the underlying exposures, will depend on actual market conditions during the remaining life of the instruments.
	The following represents the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet location and amount of derivative instrument fair values segregated between designated and non-designated hedge instruments:
		Fair values of				Fair values of
		derivative instruments				derivative instruments
		designated as hedging				not designated as
		instruments				hedging instruments
		(in thousands)
	As of January 31, 2015
	Other current assets	$	16,781			$	1,549
	Accrued liabilities	$	25,210			$	14
	As of October 31, 2014
	Other current assets	$	9,299			$	1
	Accrued liabilities	$	11,656			$	99
	The following table represents the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations location and amount of gains and losses on derivative instrument fair values for designated hedge instruments, net of tax:
		Location of gain (loss)		Amount of gain (loss)				Location of	Amount of
		recognized in OCI on		recognized in OCI on				gain (loss)	gain (loss)
derivatives		derivatives			reclassified from OCI	reclassified from
		(effective portion)				OCI
						(effective portion)
	(in thousands)
Three months ended January 31, 2015
Foreign exchange contracts	Revenue		$	2,966			Revenue	$	2,381
Foreign exchange contracts	Operating expenses		(15,795		)		Operating expenses	(3,436		)
Total			$	(12,829	)			$	(1,055	)
Three months ended January 31, 2014
Foreign exchange contracts	Revenue		$	3,188			Revenue	$	2,756
Foreign exchange contracts	Operating expenses		(3,782		)		Operating expenses	550
Total			$	(594	)			$	3,306
The following table represents the ineffective portions and portions excluded from effectiveness testing of the hedge gains (losses) for derivative instruments designated as hedging instruments, which are recorded in other income (expense), net:
Foreign exchange contracts	Amount of				Amount of gain (loss)
	gain (loss) recognized				recognized in income
	in income statement				statement on
	on derivatives				derivatives
	(ineffective				(excluded from
	portion)(1)				effectiveness testing)(2)
	(in thousands)
For the three months ended January 31, 2015	$	740			$	1,072
For the three months ended January 31, 2014	$	119			$	1,594
-1	The ineffective portion includes forecast inaccuracies.
-2	The portion excluded from effectiveness testing includes the discount earned or premium paid for the contracts.

Fair_Value_Measures

Fair Value Measures	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measures	Fair Value Measures
	ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, defines fair value, establishes guidelines and enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The accounting guidance requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The accounting guidance also establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the independence of the source and objective evidence of the inputs used. There are three fair value hierarchies based upon the level of inputs that are significant to fair value measurement:
	Level 1—Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical instruments in active markets;
	Level 2—Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-driven valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets; and
	Level 3—Unobservable inputs to the valuation derived from fair valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.
	On a recurring basis, the Company measures the fair value of certain of its assets and liabilities, which include cash equivalents, short-term investments, non-qualified deferred compensation plan assets, and foreign currency derivative contracts.
	The Company’s cash equivalents and short-term investments are classified within Level 1 or Level 2 because they are valued using quoted market prices in an active market or alternative independent pricing sources and models utilizing market observable inputs.
	The Company’s non-qualified deferred compensation plan assets consist of money market and mutual funds invested in domestic and international marketable securities that are directly observable in active markets and are therefore classified within Level 1.
	The Company’s foreign currency derivative contracts are classified within Level 2 because these contracts are not actively traded and the valuation inputs are based on quoted prices and market observable data of similar instruments.
	The Company’s borrowings under its credit and term loan facilities are classified within Level 2 because these borrowings are not actively traded and have a variable interest rate structure based upon market rates currently available to the Company for debt with similar terms and maturities. Refer to Note 7. Credit Facility.
	Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below as of January 31, 2015:
				Fair Value Measurement Using
	Description	Total		Quoted Prices in Active		Significant Other		Significant
				Markets for  Identical Assets		Observable Inputs		Unobservable Inputs
				(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
		(in thousands)
	Assets
	Cash equivalents:
	Certificates of deposit	$	2,400	$	—	$	2,400	$	—
	Money market funds	377,370		377,370		—		—
	Commercial paper	8,697		—		8,697		—
	Short-term investments:
	U.S. government agency securities	17,936		—		17,936		—
	Municipal bonds	1,403		—		1,403		—
	Certificates of deposit	3,400		—		3,400		—
	Commercial paper	7,090		—		7,090		—
	Corporate debt securities	67,168		—		67,168		—
	Asset-backed securities	23,241		—		23,241		—
	Prepaid and other current assets:
	Foreign currency derivative contracts	18,330		—		18,330		—
	Other long-term assets:
	Deferred compensation plan assets	151,061		151,061		—		—
	Total assets	$	678,096	$	528,431	$	149,665	$	—
	Liabilities
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities:
	Foreign currency derivative contracts	$	25,224	$	—	$	25,224	$	—
	Total liabilities	$	25,224	$	—	$	25,224	$	—
	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below as of October 31, 2014:
				Fair Value Measurement Using
	Description	Total		Quoted Prices in Active		Significant Other		Significant
				Markets for  Identical Assets		Observable Inputs		Unobservable Inputs
				(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
		(in thousands)
	Assets
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market funds	$	409,064	$	409,064	$	—	$	—
	Prepaid and other current assets:
	Foreign currency derivative contracts	9,300		—		9,300		—
	Other long-term assets:
	Deferred compensation plan assets	145,508		145,508		—		—
	Total assets	$	563,872	$	554,572	$	9,300	$	—
	Liabilities
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities:
	Foreign currency derivative contracts	$	11,755	$	—	$	11,755	$	—
	Total liabilities	$	11,755	$	—	$	11,755	$	—
	Assets/Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis
	Non-Marketable Equity Securities
	Equity investments in privately-held companies, also called non-marketable equity securities are accounted for using either the cost or equity method of accounting.
	The non-marketable equity securities are measured and recorded at fair value when an event or circumstance which impacts the fair value of these securities indicates an other-than-temporary decline in value has occurred.  In such events, these equity investments would be classified within Level 3 as they are valued using significant unobservable inputs or data in an inactive market, and the valuation requires management judgment due to the absence of market price and inherent lack of liquidity. The non-marketable equity securities are measured and recorded at fair value when an event or circumstance which impacts the fair value of these securities indicates an other-than-temporary decline in value has occurred. The Company monitors these investments and generally uses the income approach to assess impairments based primarily on the financial conditions of these companies.
	The Company did not recognize any impairment during the three months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	As of January 31, 2015, the fair value of the Company’s non-marketable securities was $10.6 million, of which $6.7 million and $3.9 million were accounted for under the cost method and equity method, respectively. As of October 31, 2014, the fair value of non-marketable securities was $10.9 million, of which $6.7 million and $4.2 million were accounted for under the cost method and equity method, respectively.

Liabilities_and_Restructuring_

Liabilities and Restructuring Charges	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Liabilities and Restructuring Charges [Abstract]
Liabilities and Restructuring Charges	Liabilities and Restructuring Charges
	In November 2014, the Company initiated a restructuring program that included a voluntary retirement program (VRP) and a minimal headcount reduction program. The VRP was offered to certain eligible employees in the United States and enrollment for those employees was completed on November 21, 2014. The total cost of the restructuring program was $15.3 million, of which $12.6 million was paid during the first quarter of fiscal 2015 and the remaining balance of $2.7 million is recorded in accounts payable and accrued liabilities as payroll and related benefits in the unaudited condensed balance sheets as of January 31, 2015. The remaining payments relate to severance and benefits and will be paid during fiscal 2015.
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities consist of:
		January 31,		October 31,
		2015		2014
		(in thousands)
	Payroll and related benefits	$	158,778	$	302,295
	Other accrued liabilities	55,317		66,666
	Accounts payable	28,240		28,152
	Total	$	242,335	$	397,113
	Other long-term liabilities consist of:
		January 31,		October 31,
		2015		2014
		(in thousands)
	Deferred compensation liability	$	151,061	$	145,508
	Other long-term liabilities	53,096		13,464
	Total	$	204,157	$	158,972

Credit_Facility

Credit Facility	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Credit Facility	Credit Facility
	On February 17, 2012, the Company entered into an agreement with several lenders (the Credit Agreement) providing for (i) a $350.0 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the Revolver) and (ii) a $150.0 million senior unsecured term loan facility (the Term Loan). Principal payments on a portion of the Term Loan are due in equal quarterly installments of $7.5 million, with the remainder due when the Credit Agreement expires in October 2016. The Company can elect to make prepayments on the Term Loan, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty. Subject to obtaining additional commitments from lenders, the principal amount of the loans provided under the Credit Agreement may be increased by the Company by up to an additional $150.0 million through October 13, 2015. The Credit Agreement contains financial covenants requiring the Company to operate within a maximum leverage ratio and maintain specified levels of cash, as well as other non-financial covenants.
	In December 2014, the Company drew down $250.0 million under the Revolver, primarily to finance an accelerated share repurchase agreement (See Note 9. Stock Repurchase Program). During the three months ended January 31, 2015, the Company made a principal payment of $7.5 million under the Term Loan and $15.0 million under the Revolver. As of January 31, 2015, the Company had a $67.5 million outstanding balance under the Term Loan, of which $37.5 million is classified as long term, and a $235.0 million outstanding balance under the Revolver, which is all considered short term. As of October 31, 2014, the Company had a $75.0 million outstanding balance under the Term Loan, of which $45.0 million was classified as long term, and no outstanding balance under the Revolver. Borrowings bear interest at a floating rate based on a margin over the Company’s choice of market observable base rates as defined in the Credit Agreement. As of January 31, 2015, borrowings under the Term Loan bore interest at LIBOR +1.125% and the applicable interest rate for the Revolver was LIBOR +0.975%. In addition, commitment fees are payable on the Revolver at rates between 0.150% and 0.300% per year based on the Company’s leverage ratio on the daily amount of the revolving commitment.
	The carrying amount of the short-term and long-term debt approximates the estimated fair value. These borrowings under the Credit Agreement have a variable interest rate structure and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), on an after-tax basis where applicable, were as follows:
		January 31,			October 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Cumulative currency translation adjustments	$	(74,394	)	$	(50,941	)
	Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of taxes	(22,868		)	(11,148		)
	Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, net of taxes	17			—
	Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(97,245	)	$	(62,089	)
	The effect of amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into net income was as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations:
	Gain (loss) on cash flow hedges, net of taxes
	Revenues	$	2,381		$	2,756
	Operating expenses	(3,436		)	550
	Gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities
	Other income (expense)	$	12		$	—
	Total reclassifications into net income	$	(1,043	)	$	3,306

Stock_Repurchase_Program

Stock Repurchase Program	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Stock Repurchase Program [Abstract]
Stock Repurchase Program	Stock Repurchase Program
	The Company’s Board of Directors (Board) previously approved a stock repurchase program pursuant to which the Company was authorized to purchase up to $500.0 million of its common stock, and has periodically replenished the stock repurchase program to such amount. The Board replenished the stock repurchase program up to $500.0 million on December 3, 2013, as announced on December 4, 2013. The program does not obligate Synopsys to acquire any particular amount of common stock, and the program may be suspended or terminated at any time by Synopsys’ Chief Financial Officer or the Board. The Company repurchases shares to offset dilution caused by ongoing stock issuances from existing equity plans for equity compensation awards and issuances related to acquisitions, and when management believes it is a good use of cash. Repurchases are transacted in accordance with Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act) and may be made through any means including, but not limited to, open market purchases, plans executed under Rule 10b5-1(c) of the Exchange Act and structured transactions. As of January 31, 2015, $200.3 million remained available for further repurchases under the program.
	In December 2014, the Company entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement (2015 ASR) to repurchase an aggregate of $180.0 million of the Company’s common stock. Pursuant to the 2015 ASR, the Company made a prepayment of $180.0 million and received an initial share delivery of shares valued at $144.0 million with an average purchase price of $43.77 per share. The remaining balance of $36.0 million will be settled within 6 months or earlier upon completion of the repurchase and is included within stockholders' equity as the forward instrument meets the criteria in the FASB authoritative guidance for equity treatment. Under the terms of the 2015 ASR, the specific number of shares that the Company ultimately repurchases will be based on the volume weighted average share price of the Company’s common stock during the repurchase period, less a discount.
	Stock repurchase activities are as follow:
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
		2015		2014
		(in thousands, except per share price)
	Shares repurchased	3,290		1,422
	Average purchase price per share	$	43.77	$	38.5
	Aggregate purchase price (1)	$	144,000	$	54,747
	Reissuance of treasury stock	782		1,309
	(1)    Does not include $36.0 million equity forward contract related to the above-referenced 2015 ASR.

Stock_Compensation

Stock Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock Compensation	Stock Compensation
	The compensation cost recognized in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the Company’s stock compensation arrangements was as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Cost of license	$	2,118		$	1,861
	Cost of maintenance and service	542			428
	Research and development expense	10,200			8,916
	Sales and marketing expense	4,247			3,732
	General and administrative expense	3,474			3,181
	Stock compensation expense before taxes	20,581			18,118
	Income tax benefit	(4,699		)	(4,220		)
	Stock compensation expense after taxes	$	15,882		$	13,898
	As of January 31, 2015, there was $137.8 million of unamortized share-based compensation expense, which is expected to be amortized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.6 years.
	The intrinsic values of equity awards exercised during the periods are as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Intrinsic value of awards exercised	$	11,517		$	16,199

Net_Income_per_Share

Net Income per Share	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income per Share	Net Income per Share
	The Company computes basic net income per share by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share reflects the dilution from potential common shares outstanding, such as stock options and unvested restricted stock units and awards, during the period using the treasury stock method.
	The table below reconciles the weighted-average common shares used to calculate basic net income per share with the weighted-average common shares used to calculate diluted net income per share:
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
		2015		2014
		(in thousands)
	Numerator:
	Net income	$	65,189	$	67,696
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average common shares for basic net income per share	154,458		154,066
	Dilutive effect of potential common shares from equity-based compensation	2,748		2,690
	Weighted-average common shares for diluted net income per share	157,206		156,756
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	0.42	$	0.44
	Diluted	$	0.41	$	0.43
	Anti-dilutive employee stock-based awards excluded(1)	2,440		1,378
	-1	These stock options and unvested restricted stock units and restricted stock awards were anti-dilutive for the respective periods and are excluded in calculating diluted net income per share. While such awards were antidilutive for the respective periods, they could be dilutive in the future.

Segment_Disclosure

Segment Disclosure	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Disclosure	Segment Disclosure
	Certain disclosures are required for operating segments, products and services, geographic areas of operation and major customers. Segment reporting is based upon the “management approach,” i.e., how management organizes the Company’s operating segments for which separate financial information is (1) available and (2) evaluated regularly by the Chief Operating Decision Makers (CODMs) in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Synopsys’ CODMs are the Company’s two Co-Chief Executive Officers.
	The Company operates in a single segment to provide software products and consulting services in the EDA software industry. In making operating decisions, the CODMs primarily consider consolidated financial information, accompanied by disaggregated information about revenues by geographic region. Specifically, the CODMs consider where individual “seats” or licenses to the Company’s products are located in allocating revenue to particular geographic areas. Revenue is defined as revenues from external customers. Goodwill is not allocated since the Company operates in one reportable operating segment. Revenues related to operations in the United States and other geographic areas were:
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
		2015		2014
		(in thousands)
	Revenue:
	United States	$	277,587	$	233,627
	Europe	71,883		66,654
	Japan	60,852		64,320
	Asia-Pacific and Other	131,721		114,350
	Consolidated	$	542,043	$	478,951
	Geographic revenue data for multi-region, multi-product transactions reflect internal allocations and are therefore subject to certain assumptions and the Company’s methodology.
	One customer accounted for 11.3% and 11.6% of the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated revenue in the three months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Other_Income_Expense_net

Other Income (Expense), net	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Other Income (Expense), net	Other Income (Expense), net
	The following table presents the components of other income (expense), net:
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Interest income	$	1,148		$	367
	Interest expense	(653		)	(357		)
	Gain (loss) on assets related to executive deferred compensation plan	(697		)	1,042
	Foreign currency exchange gain (loss)	3,694			893
	Other, net	1,624			9,083
	Total	$	5,116		$	11,028

Taxes

Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Taxes	Taxes
	Effective Tax Rate
	The Company estimates its annual effective tax rate at the end of each fiscal quarter. The Company’s estimate takes into account estimations of annual pre-tax income, the geographic mix of pre-tax income and the Company’s interpretations of tax laws and possible outcomes of audits.
	The following table presents the provision for income taxes and the effective tax rates:
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Income before income taxes	$	76,615		$	71,184
	Provision (benefit) for income tax	$	11,426		$	3,488
	Effective tax rate	14.9		%	4.9		%
	The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended January 31, 2015 is lower than the statutory federal income tax rate of 35% primarily due to the lower tax rates applicable to its non-U.S. operations and U.S. federal and California research tax credits, partially offset by state taxes and non-deductible stock compensation.
	The Company's effective tax rate increased in the three months ended January 31, 2015, as compared to the same period in fiscal 2014, primarily due to the integration of acquired technologies, partially offset by the reinstatement of the U.S. federal research tax credit in the first quarter of fiscal 2015. The tax rate for the three months ended January 31, 2014 was lower due to the tax benefits of an IRS settlement for fiscal 2012, as described below.
	On December 19, 2014, the president signed into law the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 which reinstated the research tax credit retroactive to January 1, 2014 and extended the credit through December 31, 2014. As a result of the new legislation, the Company recognized a benefit in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 related to ten months of fiscal 2014 as well as a benefit to the annual effective tax rate for two months of fiscal 2015. During fiscal 2015 the Company estimates the benefit of the reinstatement of the research tax credit to be approximately $12.4 million.
	The Company’s total gross unrecognized tax benefits at January 31, 2015 are $126.1 million exclusive of interest and penalties. If the total gross unrecognized tax benefits at January 31, 2015 were recognized in the future, approximately $122.5 million would decrease the effective tax rate.
	The timing of the resolution of income tax examinations is highly uncertain as well as the amounts and timing of various tax payments that are part of the settlement process. This could cause large fluctuations in the balance sheet classification of current and non-current assets and liabilities. The Company believes that in the coming twelve months, it is reasonably possible that either certain audits will conclude or the statute of limitations on certain state and foreign income and withholding taxes will expire, or both. Given the uncertainty as to ultimate settlement terms, the timing of payment and the impact of such settlements on other uncertain tax positions, the range of the estimated potential decrease in underlying unrecognized tax benefits is between $0 and $31 million.
	IRS Examinations
	In the first quarter of fiscal 2014, the Company reached final settlement with the Examination Division of the IRS on the remaining fiscal 2012 issues and recognized approximately $10.0 million in unrecognized tax benefits.
	Non-U.S. Examinations
	In the first quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company reached final settlement with the Taiwan tax authorities for fiscal 2012, with regard to certain transfer pricing issues. As a result of the settlement the Company recognized approximately $1.1 million in unrecognized tax benefits.

Effect_of_New_Accounting_Prono

Effect of New Accounting Pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Effect of New Accounting Pronouncements	Effect of New Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)," which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605).” This ASU requires an entity to recognize revenue when goods are transferred or services are provided to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. This ASU also requires disclosures enabling users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The new guidance will be effective for fiscal 2018, including interim periods within that reporting period, using one of two prescribed retrospective methods, and no early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method, nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates. To prepare financial statements in conformity with GAAP, management must make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates and may result in material effects on the Company’s operating results and financial position.
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Fiscal Year End	Fiscal Year End. The Company’s fiscal year generally ends on the Saturday nearest to October 31 and consists of 52 weeks, with the exception that approximately every five years, the Company has a 53-week year. When a 53-week year occurs, the Company includes the additional week in the first quarter to realign fiscal quarters with calendar quarters. Fiscal 2015 and 2014 are both 52-week years. The first fiscal quarters of fiscal 2015 and 2014 ended on January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014, respectively, and the prior year ended on November 1, 2014. For presentation purposes, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes refer to the closest calendar month end.
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events. The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date that these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements were issued.

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Goodwill	Goodwill as of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014 consisted of the following:
		(in thousands)
	As of October 31, 2014	$	2,255,708
	Additions	—
	Effect of foreign currency translation	(9,788		)
	As of January 31, 2015	$	2,245,920
Summary of Intangible Assets	Intangible assets as of January 31, 2015 consisted of the following:
		Gross			Accumulated		Net Assets
		Assets			Amortization
		(in thousands)
	Core/developed technology	$	490,929		$	316,714	$	174,215
	Customer relationships	209,984			97,829		112,155
	Contract rights intangible	145,616			116,389		29,227
	Covenants not to compete	2,530			2,530		—
	Trademarks and trade names	18,779			8,464		10,315
	In-process research and development (IPR&D)(1)	2,400			—		2,400
	Capitalized software development costs	22,738			18,665		4,073
	Total	$	892,976		$	560,591	$	332,385
	Intangible assets as of October 31, 2014 consisted of the following:
		Gross			Accumulated		Net Assets
		Assets			Amortization
		(in thousands)
	Core/developed technology	$	490,242		$	298,705	$	191,537
	Customer relationships	210,172			92,146		118,026
	Contract rights intangible	146,364			109,067		37,297
	Covenants not to compete	2,530			2,530		—
	Trademarks and trade names	18,779			7,765		11,014
	In-process research and development (IPR&D)(1)	3,086			—		3,086
	Capitalized software development costs	21,829			17,759		4,070
	Total	$	893,002		$	527,972	$	365,030
	-1	IPR&D is reclassified to core/developed technology upon completion or is written off upon abandonment.
Amortization Expense Related to Intangible Assets	Amortization expense related to intangible assets consisted of the following:
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Core/developed technology	$	18,009		$	15,621
	Customer relationships	5,748			5,053
	Contract rights intangible	7,852			7,126
	Covenants not to compete	—			17
	Trademarks and trade names	699			314
	Capitalized software development costs(1)	906			864
	Total	$	33,214		$	28,995
	-1	Amortization of capitalized software development costs is included in cost of license revenue in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Estimated Future Amortization of Intangible Assets	The following table presents the estimated future amortization of intangible assets:
	Fiscal Year	(in thousands)
	Remainder of fiscal 2015	$	95,690
	2016	92,056
	2017	55,627
	2018	40,298
	2019	20,645
	2020 and thereafter	25,669
	IPR&D(1)	2,400
	Total	$	332,385
	-1	IPR&D projects are estimated to be completed within one year as of January 31, 2015. Assets are amortized over their useful life upon completion of the project or are written off upon abandonment.

Financial_Assets_and_Liabiliti1

Financial Assets and Liabilities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Financial Assets And Liabilities [Abstract]
Summary of Available-for-Sale Securities	During the first fiscal quarter of 2015, the Company made investments in available-for-sale securities, as follows:
	As of January 31, 2015	Cost				Gross			Gross			Gross		Estimated
						Unrealized			Unrealized			Unrealized		Fair Value(1)
						Gains			Losses Less Than 12 Months			Losses 12 Months or Longer
		(in thousands)
	Cash equivalents:
	Certificates of deposit	$	2,400			$	—		$	—		$	—	$	2,400
	Money market funds	377,370				—			—			—		377,370
	Commercial paper	8,697				—			—			—		8,697
	Total:	388,467				—			—			—		388,467
	Short-term investments:
	U.S. government agency securities	17,928				8			—			—		17,936
	Municipal bonds	1,405				—			(2		)	—		1,403
	Certificates of deposit	3,400				—			—			—		3,400
	Commercial paper	7,090				—			—			—		7,090
	Corporate debt securities	67,160				26			(18		)	—		67,168
	Asset-backed securities	23,238				5			(2		)	—		23,241
	Total:	120,221				39			(22		)	—		120,238
	-1	See Note 5. Fair Value Measures for further discussion on fair values of cash equivalents and short-term investments.
Maturities of Available-for-Sale securities	As of January 31, 2015 the stated maturities of the Company's short-term investments are:
		Amortized Cost				Fair Value
		(in thousands)
	Due in 1 year or less	$	64,421			$	64,414
	Due in 1-5 years	55,800				55,824
	Total	$	120,221			$	120,238
Effects on Changes in Fair Values of Non-Designated Forward Contracts	The effects of the changes in the fair values of non-designated forward contracts are summarized as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
		2015				2014
		(in thousands)
	Gain (loss) recorded in other income (expense), net	$	(2,758	)		$	(943	)
Notional Amounts of Derivative Instruments	The notional amounts in the table below for derivative instruments provide one measure of the transaction volume outstanding:
		As of January 31, 2015				As of October 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
	Total gross notional amount	$	732,766			$	793,937
	Net fair value	$	(6,894	)		$	(2,455	)
Fair Values of Derivative Instrument Designated and Non-Designated as Hedging Instruments in Balance Sheet	The following represents the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet location and amount of derivative instrument fair values segregated between designated and non-designated hedge instruments:
		Fair values of				Fair values of
		derivative instruments				derivative instruments
		designated as hedging				not designated as
		instruments				hedging instruments
		(in thousands)
	As of January 31, 2015
	Other current assets	$	16,781			$	1,549
	Accrued liabilities	$	25,210			$	14
	As of October 31, 2014
	Other current assets	$	9,299			$	1
	Accrued liabilities	$	11,656			$	99
Income Statement Location and Amount of Gains and Losses on Derivative Instrument Fair Values for Designated Hedge Instruments, Net of Tax	The following table represents the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations location and amount of gains and losses on derivative instrument fair values for designated hedge instruments, net of tax:
		Location of gain (loss)		Amount of gain (loss)				Location of	Amount of
		recognized in OCI on		recognized in OCI on				gain (loss)	gain (loss)
		derivatives		derivatives				reclassified from OCI	reclassified from
				(effective portion)					OCI
									(effective portion)
		(in thousands)
	Three months ended January 31, 2015
	Foreign exchange contracts	Revenue		$	2,966			Revenue	$	2,381
	Foreign exchange contracts	Operating expenses		(15,795		)		Operating expenses	(3,436		)
	Total			$	(12,829	)			$	(1,055	)
	Three months ended January 31, 2014
	Foreign exchange contracts	Revenue		$	3,188			Revenue	$	2,756
	Foreign exchange contracts	Operating expenses		(3,782		)		Operating expenses	550
	Total			$	(594	)			$	3,306
Ineffective Portion and Portion Excluded from Effectiveness Testing of Derivative Hedge Gains (Losses)	The following table represents the ineffective portions and portions excluded from effectiveness testing of the hedge gains (losses) for derivative instruments designated as hedging instruments, which are recorded in other income (expense), net:
	Foreign exchange contracts	Amount of				Amount of gain (loss)
		gain (loss) recognized				recognized in income
		in income statement				statement on
		on derivatives				derivatives
		(ineffective				(excluded from
		portion)(1)				effectiveness testing)(2)
		(in thousands)
	For the three months ended January 31, 2015	$	740			$	1,072
	For the three months ended January 31, 2014	$	119			$	1,594
	-1	The ineffective portion includes forecast inaccuracies.
	-2	The portion excluded from effectiveness testing includes the discount earned or premium paid for the contracts.

Fair_Value_Measures_Tables

Fair Value Measures (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below as of January 31, 2015:
				Fair Value Measurement Using
	Description	Total		Quoted Prices in Active		Significant Other		Significant
				Markets for  Identical Assets		Observable Inputs		Unobservable Inputs
				(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
		(in thousands)
	Assets
	Cash equivalents:
	Certificates of deposit	$	2,400	$	—	$	2,400	$	—
	Money market funds	377,370		377,370		—		—
	Commercial paper	8,697		—		8,697		—
	Short-term investments:
	U.S. government agency securities	17,936		—		17,936		—
	Municipal bonds	1,403		—		1,403		—
	Certificates of deposit	3,400		—		3,400		—
	Commercial paper	7,090		—		7,090		—
	Corporate debt securities	67,168		—		67,168		—
	Asset-backed securities	23,241		—		23,241		—
	Prepaid and other current assets:
	Foreign currency derivative contracts	18,330		—		18,330		—
	Other long-term assets:
	Deferred compensation plan assets	151,061		151,061		—		—
	Total assets	$	678,096	$	528,431	$	149,665	$	—
	Liabilities
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities:
	Foreign currency derivative contracts	$	25,224	$	—	$	25,224	$	—
	Total liabilities	$	25,224	$	—	$	25,224	$	—
	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below as of October 31, 2014:
				Fair Value Measurement Using
	Description	Total		Quoted Prices in Active		Significant Other		Significant
				Markets for  Identical Assets		Observable Inputs		Unobservable Inputs
				(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
		(in thousands)
	Assets
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market funds	$	409,064	$	409,064	$	—	$	—
	Prepaid and other current assets:
	Foreign currency derivative contracts	9,300		—		9,300		—
	Other long-term assets:
	Deferred compensation plan assets	145,508		145,508		—		—
	Total assets	$	563,872	$	554,572	$	9,300	$	—
	Liabilities
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities:
	Foreign currency derivative contracts	$	11,755	$	—	$	11,755	$	—
	Total liabilities	$	11,755	$	—	$	11,755	$	—

Liabilities_and_Restructuring_1

Liabilities and Restructuring Charges (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Liabilities and Restructuring Charges [Abstract]
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities consist of:
		January 31,		October 31,
		2015		2014
		(in thousands)
	Payroll and related benefits	$	158,778	$	302,295
	Other accrued liabilities	55,317		66,666
	Accounts payable	28,240		28,152
	Total	$	242,335	$	397,113
Other Long-Term Liabilities	Other long-term liabilities consist of:
		January 31,		October 31,
		2015		2014
		(in thousands)
	Deferred compensation liability	$	151,061	$	145,508
	Other long-term liabilities	53,096		13,464
	Total	$	204,157	$	158,972

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), on an after-tax basis where applicable, were as follows:
		January 31,			October 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Cumulative currency translation adjustments	$	(74,394	)	$	(50,941	)
	Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of taxes	(22,868		)	(11,148		)
	Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, net of taxes	17			—
	Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(97,245	)	$	(62,089	)
Effect of Amounts Reclassified out of Each Component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Net Income	The effect of amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into net income was as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations:
	Gain (loss) on cash flow hedges, net of taxes
	Revenues	$	2,381		$	2,756
	Operating expenses	(3,436		)	550
	Gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities
	Other income (expense)	$	12		$	—
	Total reclassifications into net income	$	(1,043	)	$	3,306

Stock_Repurchase_Program_Table

Stock Repurchase Program (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Stock Repurchase Program [Abstract]
Stock Repurchase And Reissuance Activities	Stock repurchase activities are as follow:
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
		2015		2014
		(in thousands, except per share price)
	Shares repurchased	3,290		1,422
	Average purchase price per share	$	43.77	$	38.5
	Aggregate purchase price (1)	$	144,000	$	54,747
	Reissuance of treasury stock	782		1,309
	(1)    Does not include $36.0 million equity forward contract related to the above-referenced 2015 ASR.

Stock_Compensation_Tables

Stock Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock Compensation Arrangements	The compensation cost recognized in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the Company’s stock compensation arrangements was as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Cost of license	$	2,118		$	1,861
	Cost of maintenance and service	542			428
	Research and development expense	10,200			8,916
	Sales and marketing expense	4,247			3,732
	General and administrative expense	3,474			3,181
	Stock compensation expense before taxes	20,581			18,118
	Income tax benefit	(4,699		)	(4,220		)
	Stock compensation expense after taxes	$	15,882		$	13,898
Schedule of Intrinsic Value of Equity Awards Exercised	The intrinsic values of equity awards exercised during the periods are as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Intrinsic value of awards exercised	$	11,517		$	16,199

Net_Income_per_Share_Tables

Net Income per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Weighted-Average Common Shares Used to Calculate Net Income Per Share	The table below reconciles the weighted-average common shares used to calculate basic net income per share with the weighted-average common shares used to calculate diluted net income per share:
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
		2015		2014
		(in thousands)
	Numerator:
	Net income	$	65,189	$	67,696
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average common shares for basic net income per share	154,458		154,066
	Dilutive effect of potential common shares from equity-based compensation	2,748		2,690
	Weighted-average common shares for diluted net income per share	157,206		156,756
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	0.42	$	0.44
	Diluted	$	0.41	$	0.43
	Anti-dilutive employee stock-based awards excluded(1)	2,440		1,378
	-1	These stock options and unvested restricted stock units and restricted stock awards were anti-dilutive for the respective periods and are excluded in calculating diluted net income per share. While such awards were antidilutive for the respective periods, they could be dilutive in the future.

Segment_Disclosure_Tables

Segment Disclosure (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Revenues Related to Operations by Geographic Areas	Revenues related to operations in the United States and other geographic areas were:
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
		2015		2014
		(in thousands)
	Revenue:
	United States	$	277,587	$	233,627
	Europe	71,883		66,654
	Japan	60,852		64,320
	Asia-Pacific and Other	131,721		114,350
	Consolidated	$	542,043	$	478,951

Other_Income_Expense_net_Table

Other Income (Expense), net (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Components of Other Income (Expense), Net	The following table presents the components of other income (expense), net:
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Interest income	$	1,148		$	367
	Interest expense	(653		)	(357		)
	Gain (loss) on assets related to executive deferred compensation plan	(697		)	1,042
	Foreign currency exchange gain (loss)	3,694			893
	Other, net	1,624			9,083
	Total	$	5,116		$	11,028

Taxes_Tables

Taxes (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Provision for Income Taxes and Effective Tax Rates	The following table presents the provision for income taxes and the effective tax rates:
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Income before income taxes	$	76,615		$	71,184
	Provision (benefit) for income tax	$	11,426		$	3,488
	Effective tax rate	14.9		%	4.9		%

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets2

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Summary of Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
As of October 31, 2014	$2,255,708	[1]
Additions	0
Effect of foreign currency translation	-9,788
As of January 31, 2015	$2,245,920
[1]	Derived from audited financial statements.

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets3

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Summary of Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015		Oct. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Assets	$892,976		$893,002
Accumulated Amortization	560,591		527,972
Net Assets	332,385		365,030	[1]
Core/developed technology
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Assets	490,929		490,242
Accumulated Amortization	316,714		298,705
Net Assets	174,215		191,537
Customer relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Assets	209,984		210,172
Accumulated Amortization	97,829		92,146
Net Assets	112,155		118,026
Contract rights intangible
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Assets	145,616		146,364
Accumulated Amortization	116,389		109,067
Net Assets	29,227		37,297
Covenants not to compete
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Assets	2,530		2,530
Accumulated Amortization	2,530		2,530
Net Assets	0		0
Trademarks and trade names
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Assets	18,779		18,779
Accumulated Amortization	8,464		7,765
Net Assets	10,315		11,014
In-process research and development (IPR&D)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Assets	2,400	[2]	3,086	[2]
Accumulated Amortization	0	[2]	0	[2]
Net Assets	2,400	[2]	3,086	[2]
Capitalized software development costs
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Assets	22,738		21,829
Accumulated Amortization	18,665		17,759
Net Assets	$4,073		$4,070
[1]	Derived from audited financial statements.
[2]	IPR&D is reclassified to core/developed technology upon completion or is written off upon abandonment.

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets4

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Amortization Expense Related to Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015		Jan. 31, 2014
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense [Line Items]
Amortization expense of intangible assets	$33,214		$28,995
Core/developed technology
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense [Line Items]
Amortization expense of intangible assets	18,009		15,621
Customer relationships
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense [Line Items]
Amortization expense of intangible assets	5,748		5,053
Contract rights intangible
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense [Line Items]
Amortization expense of intangible assets	7,852		7,126
Covenants not to compete
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense [Line Items]
Amortization expense of intangible assets	0		17
Trademarks and trade names
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense [Line Items]
Amortization expense of intangible assets	699		314
Capitalized software development costs
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense [Line Items]
Amortization expense of intangible assets	$906	[1]	$864	[1]
[1]	Amortization of capitalized software development costs is included in cost of license revenue in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets5

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Estimated Future Amortization of Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Remainder of fiscal 2015	$95,690
2016	92,056
2017	55,627
2018	40,298
2019	20,645
2020 and thereafter	25,669
IPR&D	2,400	[1]
Total	$332,385
[1]	IPR&D projects are estimated to be completed within one year as of January 31, 2015. Assets are amortized over their useful life upon completion of the project or are written off upon abandonment.

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets6

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Estimated Future Amortization of Intangible Assets, Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Projects estimated to be completed (years)	1 year

Financial_Assets_and_Liabiliti2

Financial Assets and Liabilities - Additional Information (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Financial Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]
Shipments period using hedges (in months)	one
Period for hedge balance in OCI to be reclassified to statement of operations (in months)	12 months
Foreign Exchange Contracts | Maximum
Financial Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]
Duration of foreign exchange forward contracts	1 year
Cash Flow Hedging | Foreign Exchange Forward contracts | Maximum
Financial Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]
Derivative maturity period	22 months
Foreign currency derivative contracts | Minimum
Financial Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]
Derivative maturity period	1 month
Foreign currency derivative contracts | Maximum
Financial Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]
Derivative maturity period	22 months
Foreign currency derivative contracts | Cash Flow Hedging | Maximum
Financial Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]
Derivative maturity period	3 years
Non-Designated Hedging Instrument
Financial Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]
Forward contracts terms (in months)	1 month

Financial_Assets_and_Liabiliti3

Financial Assets and Liabilities - Short-term investments (Details) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cash equivalents
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, cost	$388,467
Gross unrealized gains	0
Gross unrealized losses less than 12 months	0
Gross unrealized losses 12 months or longer	0
Estimated fair value	388,467	[1]
Cash equivalents | Certificates of deposit
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, cost	2,400
Gross unrealized gains	0
Gross unrealized losses less than 12 months	0
Gross unrealized losses 12 months or longer	0
Estimated fair value	2,400	[1]
Cash equivalents | Money market funds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, cost	377,370
Gross unrealized gains	0
Gross unrealized losses less than 12 months	0
Gross unrealized losses 12 months or longer	0
Estimated fair value	377,370	[1]
Cash equivalents | Commercial paper
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, cost	8,697
Gross unrealized gains	0
Gross unrealized losses less than 12 months	0
Gross unrealized losses 12 months or longer	0
Estimated fair value	8,697	[1]
Short-term investments
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, cost	120,221
Gross unrealized gains	39
Gross unrealized losses less than 12 months	-22
Gross unrealized losses 12 months or longer	0
Estimated fair value	120,238	[1]
Short-term investments | Certificates of deposit
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, cost	3,400
Gross unrealized gains	0
Gross unrealized losses less than 12 months	0
Gross unrealized losses 12 months or longer	0
Estimated fair value	3,400	[1]
Short-term investments | Commercial paper
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, cost	7,090
Gross unrealized gains	0
Gross unrealized losses less than 12 months	0
Gross unrealized losses 12 months or longer	0
Estimated fair value	7,090	[1]
Short-term investments | U.S. government agency securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, cost	17,928
Gross unrealized gains	8
Gross unrealized losses less than 12 months	0
Gross unrealized losses 12 months or longer	0
Estimated fair value	17,936	[1]
Short-term investments | Municipal bonds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, cost	1,405
Gross unrealized gains	0
Gross unrealized losses less than 12 months	-2
Gross unrealized losses 12 months or longer	0
Estimated fair value	1,403	[1]
Short-term investments | Corporate debt securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, cost	67,160
Gross unrealized gains	26
Gross unrealized losses less than 12 months	-18
Gross unrealized losses 12 months or longer	0
Estimated fair value	67,168	[1]
Short-term investments | Asset-backed securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, cost	23,238
Gross unrealized gains	5
Gross unrealized losses less than 12 months	-2
Gross unrealized losses 12 months or longer	0
Estimated fair value	$23,241	[1]
[1]	See Note 5. Fair Value Measures for further discussion on fair values of cash equivalents and short-term investments.

Financial_Assets_and_Liabiliti4

Financial Assets and Liabilities - Investments Maturity Table (Details) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Amortized Cost
Due in 1 year or less	$64,421
Due in 1-5 years	55,800
Total	120,221
Fair Value
Due in 1 year or less	64,414
Due in 1-5 years	55,824
Total	$120,238

Financial_Assets_and_Liabiliti5

Financial Assets and Liabilities - Effects on Changes in Fair Values of Non-Designated Forward Contracts (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Financial Assets And Liabilities [Abstract]
Gain (loss) recorded in other income (expense), net	($2,758)	($943)

Financial_Assets_and_Liabiliti6

Financial Assets and Liabilities - Notional Amounts of Derivative Instruments (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financial Assets And Liabilities [Abstract]
Total gross notional amount	$732,766	$793,937
Net fair value	($6,894)	($2,455)

Financial_Assets_and_Liabiliti7

Financial Assets and Liabilities - Fair Values of Derivative Instrument Designated and Non-Designated as Hedging Instruments in Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Designated As Hedging Instrument | Other current assets
Financial Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]
Fair values of derivative instruments, assets	$16,781	$9,299
Designated As Hedging Instrument | Accrued liabilities
Financial Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]
Fair values of derivative instruments, liabilities	25,210	11,656
Non-Designated Hedging Instrument | Other current assets
Financial Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]
Fair values of derivative instruments, assets	1,549	1
Non-Designated Hedging Instrument | Accrued liabilities
Financial Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]
Fair values of derivative instruments, liabilities	$14	$99

Financial_Assets_and_Liabiliti8

Financial Assets and Liabilities - Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations Location and Amount of Gains and Losses on Derivative Instrument Fair Values for Designated Hedge Instruments, Net of Tax (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Financial Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in OCI on derivatives (effective portion)	($12,829)	($594)
Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from OCI (effective portion)	-1,055	3,306
Foreign Exchange Contracts | Revenue
Financial Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in OCI on derivatives (effective portion)	2,966	3,188
Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from OCI (effective portion)	2,381	2,756
Foreign Exchange Contracts | Operating Expenses
Financial Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in OCI on derivatives (effective portion)	-15,795	-3,782
Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from OCI (effective portion)	($3,436)	$550

Financial_Assets_and_Liabiliti9

Financial Assets and Liabilities - Ineffective Portion and Portion Excluded from Effectiveness Testing of Derivative Hedge Gains (Losses) (Detail) (Foreign Exchange Contracts, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015		Jan. 31, 2014
Foreign Exchange Contracts
Financial Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income statement on derivatives (ineffective portion)	$740	[1]	$119	[1]
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income statement on derivatives (excluded from effectiveness testing)	$1,072	[2]	$1,594	[2]
[1]	The ineffective portion includes forecast inaccuracies.
[2]	The portion excluded from effectiveness testing includes the discount earned or premium paid for the contracts.

Fair_Value_Measures_Assets_and

Fair Value Measures - Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring, USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total assets	$678,096	$563,872
Total liabilities	25,224	11,755
Foreign currency derivative contracts
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Prepaid and other current assets	18,330	9,300
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	25,224	11,755
Deferred compensation plan assets
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Other long-term assets	151,061	145,508
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total assets	528,431	554,572
Total liabilities	0	0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Foreign currency derivative contracts
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Prepaid and other current assets	0	0
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	0	0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Deferred compensation plan assets
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Other long-term assets	151,061	145,508
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total assets	149,665	9,300
Total liabilities	25,224	11,755
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Foreign currency derivative contracts
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Prepaid and other current assets	18,330	9,300
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	25,224	11,755
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Deferred compensation plan assets
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Other long-term assets	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total assets	0	0
Total liabilities	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Foreign currency derivative contracts
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Prepaid and other current assets	0	0
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Deferred compensation plan assets
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Other long-term assets	0	0
Cash equivalents | Certificates of deposit
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	2,400
Cash equivalents | Money market funds
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	377,370	409,064
Cash equivalents | Commercial paper
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	8,697
Cash equivalents | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Certificates of deposit
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	0
Cash equivalents | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Money market funds
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	377,370	409,064
Cash equivalents | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Commercial paper
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	0
Cash equivalents | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Certificates of deposit
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	2,400
Cash equivalents | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Money market funds
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	0	0
Cash equivalents | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Commercial paper
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	8,697
Cash equivalents | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Certificates of deposit
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	0
Cash equivalents | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Money market funds
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	0	0
Cash equivalents | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Commercial paper
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	0
Short-term investments | Certificates of deposit
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments	3,400
Short-term investments | Commercial paper
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments	7,090
Short-term investments | U.S. government agency securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments	17,936
Short-term investments | Municipal bonds
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments	1,403
Short-term investments | Corporate debt securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments	67,168
Short-term investments | Asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments	23,241
Short-term investments | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Certificates of deposit
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments	0
Short-term investments | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Commercial paper
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments	0
Short-term investments | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | U.S. government agency securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments	0
Short-term investments | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Municipal bonds
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments	0
Short-term investments | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Corporate debt securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments	0
Short-term investments | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments	0
Short-term investments | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Certificates of deposit
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments	3,400
Short-term investments | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Commercial paper
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments	7,090
Short-term investments | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | U.S. government agency securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments	17,936
Short-term investments | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Municipal bonds
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments	1,403
Short-term investments | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Corporate debt securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments	67,168
Short-term investments | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments	23,241
Short-term investments | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Certificates of deposit
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments	0
Short-term investments | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Commercial paper
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments	0
Short-term investments | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | U.S. government agency securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments	0
Short-term investments | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Municipal bonds
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments	0
Short-term investments | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Corporate debt securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments	0
Short-term investments | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments	$0

Fair_Value_Measures_Additional

Fair Value Measures - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
Fair Value Measures [Line Items]
Other-than-temporary impairment	$0	$0
Non-marketable equity securities	10.6		10.9
Cost Method Investments
Fair Value Measures [Line Items]
Non-marketable equity securities	6.7		6.7
Equity Method Investments
Fair Value Measures [Line Items]
Non-marketable equity securities	$3.90		$4.20

Liabilities_and_Restructuring_2

Liabilities and Restructuring Charges - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Restructuring Charges [Abstract]
Restructuring charges	$15,336,000	$0
Voluntary Retirement Program and Headcount Reduction Program [Member]
Restructuring Charges [Abstract]
Restructuring charges	15,300,000
Restructuring charges paid during period	12,600,000
Payroll and related benefits	$2,700,000

Liabilities_and_Restructuring_3

Liabilities and Restructuring Charges - Components of Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Payroll and related benefits	$158,778	$302,295
Other accrued liabilities	55,317	66,666
Accounts payable	28,240	28,152
Total	$242,335	$397,113	[1]
[1]	Derived from audited financial statements.

Liabilities_and_Restructuring_4

Liabilities and Restructuring Charges - Components of Other Long Term Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Liabilities, Other than Long-term Debt, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Deferred compensation liability	$151,061	$145,508
Other long-term liabilities	53,096	13,464
Total	$204,157	$158,972	[1]
[1]	Derived from audited financial statements.

Credit_Facility_Additional_Inf

Credit Facility - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014		Feb. 17, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior unsecured revolving credit facility entered date	17-Feb-12
Credit facility maximum borrowing capacity						$350,000,000
Senior unsecured term loan facility, face amount						150,000,000
Payment schedule for term loan	Principal payments on a portion of the Term Loan are due in equal quarterly installments of $7.5 million, with the remainder due when the Credit Agreement expires in October 2016.
Senior unsecured term loan facility additional borrowings	150,000,000
Debt instrument quarterly principal payment	7,500,000
Proceeds from credit facility	250,000,000	0
Principal payments made during period	22,723,000	7,748,000
Senior unsecured term loan facility	67,500,000			75,000,000
Senior unsecured term loan facility long term	37,500,000			45,000,000	[1]
Revolver
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from credit facility			250,000,000
Principal payments made during period	15,000,000
Amount outstanding	235,000,000			0
Borrowings, interest rate	0.98%
Revolver | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commitment fees percentage	0.15%
Revolver | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commitment fees percentage	0.30%
Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal payments made during period	$7,500,000
Borrowings, interest rate	1.13%
[1]	Derived from audited financial statements.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Cumulative currency translation adjustments	($74,394)	($50,941)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of taxes	-22,868	-11,148
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, net of taxes	17	0
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	($97,245)	($62,089)	[1]
[1]	Derived from audited financial statements.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Effect of Amounts Reclassified out of Each Component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Net Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenues	$542,043	$478,951
Other income (expense), net	5,116	11,028
Net income	65,189	67,696
Reclassification out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income	-1,043	3,306
Gain (loss) on cash flow hedges, net of taxes | Reclassification out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenues	2,381	2,756
Operating expenses	-3,436	550
Gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities | Reclassification out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other income (expense), net	$12	$0

Stock_Repurchase_Program_Addit

Stock Repurchase Program - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 03, 2013
Stock Repurchase Program [Abstract]
Stock repurchase program authorized amount	$500,000,000		$500,000,000
Remaining amount available for further repurchases	200,300,000
Accelerated share repurchase amount		180,000,000
Prepayment amount	180,000,000
Value of initial share delivery	144,000,000
Average price paid (in dollars per share)	$43.77
Remaining repurchase amount	$36,000,000
Settlement period for remaining balance	6 months

Stock_Repurchase_Program_Stock

Stock Repurchase Program - Stock Repurchase Activities (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015		Jan. 31, 2014
Stock Repurchase Program
Shares repurchased	3,290		1,422
Average purchase price	$43.77		$38.50
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock	$144,000	[1]	$54,747
Reissuance of treasury stock	782		1,309
[1]	Does not include $36.0 million equity forward contract related to the above-referenced 2015 ASR.

Stock_Compensation_Expense_Det

Stock Compensation Expense (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock compensation expense before taxes	$20,581	$18,118
Income tax benefit	-4,699	-4,220
Stock compensation expense after taxes	15,882	13,898
Cost of license
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock compensation expense before taxes	2,118	1,861
Cost of maintenance and service
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock compensation expense before taxes	542	428
Research and development expense
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock compensation expense before taxes	10,200	8,916
Sales and marketing expense
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock compensation expense before taxes	4,247	3,732
General and administrative expense
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock compensation expense before taxes	$3,474	$3,181

Stock_Compensation_Additional_

Stock Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Unamortized share-based compensation expense	$137.80
Weighted-average period of total compensation costs to be recognized in years	2 years 7 months 6 days

Stock_Compensation_Schedule_of

Stock Compensation - Schedule of Intrinsic Value of Equity Awards Exercised (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Stock Compensation [Abstract]
Intrinsic value of awards exercised	$11,517	$16,199

Net_Income_per_Share_Reconcili

Net Income per Share - Reconciliation of Weighted Average Common Shares Used to Calculate Basic Net Income Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015		Jan. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income	$65,189		$67,696
Weighted-average common shares for basic net income per share (shares)	154,458		154,066
Dilutive effect of potential common shares from equity-based compensation (shares)	2,748		2,690
Weighted-average common shares for diluted net income per share (shares)	157,206		156,756
Basic (in USD per share)	$0.42		$0.44
Diluted (in USD per share)	$0.41		$0.43
Anti-dilutive employee stock-based awards excluded (shares)	2,440	[1]	1,378	[1]
[1]	These stock options and unvested restricted stock units and restricted stock awards were anti-dilutive for the respective periods and are excluded in calculating diluted net income per share. While such awards were antidilutive for the respective periods, they could be dilutive in the future.

Segment_Disclosure_Additional_

Segment Disclosure - Additional information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
	Segment	Customer
	Customer	Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable operating segment	1	1
Number of major customers	1	1
Customer concentration risk | Revenue
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Percentage of revenues contributed by major customers	11.30%	11.60%

Segment_Disclosure_Revenues_Re

Segment Disclosure - Revenues Related to Operations by Geographic Areas (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Consolidated	$542,043	$478,951
United States
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Consolidated	277,587	233,627
Europe
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Consolidated	71,883	66,654
Japan
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Consolidated	60,852	64,320
Asia-Pacific And Other
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Consolidated	$131,721	$114,350

Other_Income_Expense_net_Compo

Other Income (Expense), net - Components of Other Income (Expense), Net (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)
Interest income	$1,148	$367
Interest expense	-653	-357
Gain (loss) on assets related to executive deferred compensation plan	-697	1,042
Foreign currency exchange gain (loss)	3,694	893
Other, net	1,624	9,083
Total	$5,116	$11,028

Taxes_Provision_for_Income_Tax

Taxes - Provision for Income Taxes and Effective Tax Rates (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income before income taxes	$76,615	$71,184
Provision (benefit) for income tax	$11,426	$3,488
Effective tax rate	14.90%	4.90%

Taxes_Additional_Information_D

Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2015
Taxes [Line Items]
Statutory federal income tax rate	35.00%
Gross unrecognized tax benefits	$126.10
Unrecognized tax benefits that would affect effective tax rate	122.5
Estimated potential decrease in underlying unrecognized tax benefits, minimum	0
Estimated potential decrease in underlying unrecognized tax benefits, maximum	31
IRS | Fiscal Year 2012
Taxes [Line Items]
Unrecognized tax benefits decrease resulting from settlement		10
Taiwan | Fiscal Year 2012
Taxes [Line Items]
Unrecognized tax benefits decrease resulting from settlement	1.1
Forecast
Taxes [Line Items]
Expected research tax credit benefit			$12.40