Hex file generation without compilation

Question

I heard of a use-case / tool where in a Hex file (executable that can be flashed into a Embedded memory area) can be generated without Compilation or linking.

I am amazed such a thing is possible. Any experts in this area who can tell, What the tool does and how ?

I know a use-case - it is for Post-build configuration variant.

Hex File :

some basics : http://embeddedfun.blogspot.com/2011/07/anatomy-of-hex-file.html

Thanks, MSam

Umm.. use an editor to create the hex file? Hex files are not executable anyway, did you mean some hex representation that can be loaded as binary, eg Intel format or Motorola S-files? — Martin James, Jul 27 '15 at 12:22
If there is no location information, you could use some hex2bin utility? — Martin James, Jul 27 '15 at 12:24
You need to provide more information. As given now, it is unclear what you are actually asking for. — too honest for this site, Jul 27 '15 at 12:44
@alk well, yes.. I was sorta assuming ASCII hex text, but yes, I could be wrong:( — Martin James, Jul 27 '15 at 12:47
Thanks all, I am very sorry for not giving a lot of information and delay ... But I will try and add it as much as possible, Please check and let me know — DarkKnight, Aug 01 '15 at 03:57

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 27 '15 at 12:33

2

A hex file, the Intel HEX format isn't necessarily "executable" as such. It's a plain-text format for describing binary data. Typically it is used for data to be written to an embedded device. Often, at least part of that data will be executed. But the format could also be used to describe configuration data.

You can write a hex file with any text editor. But to write a meaningful program by using only a text editor would not be advisable...

There are tools, like the IntelHex python package which allows you to manipulate hex files at a higher level, for instance, to merge multiple hex files into one (e.g. bootloader, application and configuration hex files into a single hex file). Or replace a placeholder with a unique id/serial number whatever before writing a hex file onto a device.

answered Jul 27 '15 at 12:33

Sigve Kolbeinson

1,133
1
7
16

Thanks for your input, I understand that there are tools. But what is the concept behind not performing a compilation ? – DarkKnight Aug 14 '15 at 18:50
1

1) @DarkKnight It depends. Compilation translates from source code to machine code. You can, in theory, write machine code directly into a hex file. This will be tedious and complicated, even for a trivial program. What is easier to hand-craft in a hex file is data such as configuration. When I wrote my answer, I think I also thought of "not performing a compilation" to include assembly. Strictly speaking it doesn't. Assembler code maps much closer to the machine instructions than does e.g. C, and can be seen as _human-readable_ machine code. – Sigve Kolbeinson Aug 15 '15 at 09:41
1

2) @DarkKnight Assembler instructions are composed of operations are described by mnemonics (like ADD, BRZ - branch if zero) and arguments, you can use symbolic names for variables and addresses. In machine code, the operation and its arguments are combined into a specific binary format, and there are no symbolic names. Coding in assembler is much more common than machine code, and often used in embedded where timing is critical, e.g. for generating a very precise signal. – Sigve Kolbeinson Aug 15 '15 at 09:41

Hex file generation without compilation

1 Answers1