Embedding build numbers

[dpaul]

Greeting:

Is there a convenient way to embed a build or version number in a Hex file and retrieve it? I'm having trouble keeping track of what code is where in several development platforms. I have found how to retrieve the program hex file with the ICD Control Program V2.12, but I am not sure if there is an approved manner to handle such information within these files.

Thanks for your thoughts,
Doug

[PCM programmer]

See if this thread helps:
http://www.ccsinfo.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1107&highlight=build

[languer]

Excellent tips. Thanks!

[dpaul]

Orging a string or a value is an excellent idea. I still need some help deciphering the .HEX file format so I can read the embedded identifier.

Here’s a test: I defined the following easily locatable array:

#org 0x1FD0, 0x1FDF
const char BuildNumber [] =
{
0x00, 0x01, 0x02, 0x03,
0x04, 0x05, 0x06, 0x07
};

Examining the very short .HEX file in my test program, I can pick out the following record which has my BuildNumber data in it.

:103FA0008207003401340234033404340534063407

Can anyone tell me what the record format is in the .HEX file? This record was locatable because the test program was very short (only a dozen lines in the .HEX file), and the array values known. Obviously finding the BuildNumber record would be much more daunting in a real program. This record, surprisingly, was in the middle of the .HEX file despite being Orged at the end of memory. I would have thought/hoped the #org statement would have physically located it at the end of the .HEX file making it easy to manually pick out, but obviously that was only a guess, and a wrong one at that.

Again, thanks for any help.

Doug

[future]

I use printf(__DATE__ __TIME__)

[LomasS]

The .Hex file format is an Intel hex file, characterised by the initial ':' search the internet for 'Intel Hex File Format' or similar for lots of descriptions.

Steve.

[RossJ]

The reason why you are seeing 34s in there is because of the way CCS C implements const arrays. 0x34 is the upper byte of the return with literal in W instruction (on a 16 series PIC). If all you want is to see the raw hex bytes, try the #rom directive instead of a const array.