Format Converter

This utility is available only with Rational Apex Embedded for Rational Exec and Rational Apex Embedded for Tornado.

For embedded systems, it is sometimes necessary to change the format of executable or relocatable files generated or used by the system. The Format Converter provides this capability.

Using the Format Converter, the Apex compiler may be augmented with tools that require different object formats.

By default, the Rational Embedded linker generates VOX executable (absolute) format for Rational Apex Embedded for Rational Exec and VOX relocatable format for Rational Apex Embedded for Tornado. The Format Converter converts between VOX format (a Rational Software Corporation proprietary specification) and other formats. The conversion integrates "foreign" object modules with Apex applications.

The following conversion modes are supported:

• Conversion from VOX relocatable format to a foreign relocatable format.
• Conversion from a foreign relocatable format to VOX relocatable format.
• Conversion from VOX executable format to a foreign executable format.

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Invocation

The Format Converter can be invoked from the Apex GUI or from the command line.

The command line invocation is presented in the Rational Apex Embedded Command Reference.

GUI Invocation

To invoke the Format Converter using the Apex GUI, use the Tools > Convert... command. The Convert dialog box is displayed.

Conversion Modes

Select one of the conversion modes in this section.

Available Formats

The set of available conversion formats is dependent on your system and on the conversion mode chosen.

Input File

Name the input file for conversion.

Output File

Name the output file of the conversion.

Pack

Select this option to generate higher density S-records. Pack reduces the size of S-record files as much as 30%. Packed files download faster. However, on some target on-board monitors, higher density srecords may overflow the serial port buffer resulting in a checksum error.