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3 - Programming a microcontroller
Each time a file has a successor with a date older than its predecessor, the corresponding tool
is run to update the successor. This is done in an orderly fashion, from the top of the hierarchy
(the source files) to the bottom (the absolute object file). Then, at a given time, all those source
files that have been modified since the last run of the maker are reprocessed, and only those
files. This both guarantees that no file will be forgotten in the updating process (provided that
the control file correctly describes all the dependencies), and that only the necessary
processing will be done, to save time.
The maker is an essential component of any set of programming tools. But unlike what was
said about matching the same brand of assembler and linker, any maker may be used in a
project, since all work the same way. The control file, in fact, uses a different syntax; but this
does not affect the overall result. So, if you buy a new set of software tools for a microcontroller, you can still keep the maker you are accustomed to.
3.1.2.5 EPROM burners
EPROM burners, or programmers, are tools that have a hardware interface with a zero-insertion force socket that matches the characteristics of the specific EPROM chip or microcontroller with built-in EPROM. They transfer the contents of an absolute object file into the physical programmable memory. Burner software usually accepts several input formats. This gives
some flexibility to the user and can allow using a burner from one manufacturer with software
tools from another. Apart from accepting absolute object files generated by the linker in the
same tool set, burners also frequently accept one or other of the more widely-used printable
hexadecimal formats.
To use a hexadecimal format, either the linker must be able to output an absolute file in that
format, or a code converter must be used that takes an absolute object file as an input, and
produces a hexadecimal file as an output. Such converters are often supplied with in the software tool set. The use of these converters may save you the price of a new burner if you already own one for the right type of programmable component.
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