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.. RST source for blob2xex(1) man page. Convert with:
.. rst2man.py blob2xex.rst > blob2xex.1
========
blob2xex
========
--------------------------------------------------
Create Atari 8-bit executables from arbitrary data
--------------------------------------------------
.. include:: manhdr.rst
SYNOPSIS
========
blob2xex *outfile* [**-v**] [**-r** *runaddr*] [**-l** *loadaddr* [**-i** *initaddr*] [**-o** *offset*] [**-s** *size*] *infile*] ...
DESCRIPTION
===========
**blob2xex** creates an Atari 8-bit binary load (xex) file from one or
more files of arbitrary data. Each input file will become a separate
segment in the binary load file. A run address can be added with the
**-r** option.
Each input file *requires* a **-l** *loadaddr* option, to set the
load address. Optionally, init addresses can be included, per-segment
(**-i**). Also, using **-o** and **-s**, it's possible to include only
part of the input file. To read from standard input, use **-** for the
*infile*.
*outfile* must be given as the first argument. When multiple
input files are used, the resulting .xex file will have multiple
segments. If *outfile* already exists, it will be overwritten.
If *outfile* is a filename that begins with a **-**, prefix it with
"./", otherwise it'll be taken as an option. Use **-** to write to
standard output. **blob2xex** will not write output to a terminal;
**-** must be used with redirection or a pipe.
Addresses, offsets, and sizes may be given in decimal or hex. Hex
addresses must be prefixed with either **$** or **0x**.
OPTIONS
=======
A space is required between an option and its argument; use e.g. **-l 0x2000**,
not **-l0x2000**.
-l *loadaddr*
Set the load address of the next *infile*. Each *infile* must be preceded by
a **-l** option.
-r *runaddr*
Optional; set the run address. Since a .xex file can only have one run address,
the last **-r** option will be the one used.
-i *initaddr*
Optional; set an init address, to be executed after the next segment loads.
-o *offset*
Optional; skip this many bytes of the next input file. Default is **0**.
-s *size*
Optional; read this many bytes of the next input file. Default is the entire file,
or **0xffff** (**65535**) if the file is longer than 64KB.
-v
Verbose output.
-h, --help
Print usage message and exit.
-V, --version
Print version number and exit.
EXAMPLES
========
Simple Example
--------------
You've written an Atari 8-bit program that loads at **$2000**, which
is also the run address. The assembler you used doesn't create Atari
.xex files, so you've got a **program.bin** that's just raw object
code. To turn it into a runnable .xex file, use:
blob2xex program.xex -l '$2000' -r '$2000' program.bin
Notice the use of quotes around the addresses? That's because the
$ character must be quoted, or the shell will try to interpret it
as a variable reference. You could also have typed **\$2000** or
**0x2000**.
More Complex Example
--------------------
Suppose you want to write a program that can run on an Atari 800,
but you want to use the International Character Set font from the
XL/XE machines. Also suppose that you have the XL ROM image as
*atarixl.rom*.
The way to use the XL ICS font on the 800 is to load it somewhere
in memory, on a 1K boundary. Suppose you've decided to load it at
**$8000**.
Any good reference book or other documentation on the Atari XL/XE
computers will tell you the ICS font is located at **$CC00**. The ROM
image starts at **$C000** (the start of XL/XE ROM), so the font is
located at offset **$0C00** within the ROM image. As always for Atari
fonts, it's 1KB, or **$0400** bytes.
So you can create a .xex file of the ROM font with:
blob2xex romfont.xex -l 0x8000 -o 0x0c00 -s 0x0400 atarixl.rom
Since fonts aren't executable programs, there are no run (**-r**) or
init (**-i**) address options.
The resulting *romfont.xex* can be combined with the rest of your
program with **xexcat**\(1).
.. include:: manftr.rst
|
