Importing programs into Droid48

[Robert3750]

I can't figure out how to import programs into Droid48. I found an online converter that converts txt files into binary, and I read this thread:
http://androidforums.com/android-applications/197924-importing-programs-into-droid48.html

but it still doesn't help. The thread says

(I used the .hp48) directory

But when I view the SD card in Windows Explorer, the .hp48 directory IS NOT VISIBLE. I've enabled the viewing of hidden and system files, but still nothing. I tried putting the file into a different directory that does show when I click "put program in stack", but the file is not visible. Is there some naming convention for hp48 files I'm not aware of?

Please help.

 

[electricpete]

You can definitely import any user-rpl program into Droid48.

How to get program into your phone, just takes a little getting used to and there are several ways.

First way, if you plan on doing a lot of HP48 programming, install HPuserEdit Revision 4 (free program) on your PC (I'd stay away from Rev 5). It'll allow you to type in HP48 commands and they can be nicely color-coded automatically to identify keywords and structure. You can also add indenting and comments...much more userfriendlyl than working on a tiny screen (I'd heartily recommend it if you are planning any large programming project). You can also install Emu48 emulator program on PC, which integrates seamlessly with HPuseredit to allow instantly trying out your programs on pc, with a few built in debug tools.

Back to getting files in proper format. You can create a program in HPuserEdit or import various types of files into HP48 (many the files you get off the internet can be in a format that doesn't import easily into Droid48 but will import into HP48). From HPUserEdit, choose export and it will create a file in a format the HPuserEdit program calls “binary” which can be directly read into your Droid48.

I created a program using that procedure and I’ve attached it here.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/vghyqdljarwbc58/Testbin.hpe
Try it out to see if you can load it into your Droid48. Instructrions are:
press “Menu” button
Select “Put Program On Stack”
[you’ll notice it looks like nothing happened..]
Select “Enter” on your Droid48 keyboard
[the program appears on the stack]
Select “Eval” on your Droid 48 keyboard
[programs are now loaded... you should be able to see directory and programs using VAR menu... if there is extra stuff on the stack just clear it out]
You now have a directory Tools which contains three programs
IN0 = for loading programs into your phone from normal web format sometimes called text format.
INNOS = similar to IN0. Treats special characters differently, I think... passage of time has blurred that detail. Note there are several versions of IN in the link. I'm remembering I always used IN0 when I relied on these programs (before I got HPuserEdit)
OUT0 (for exporting programs).

Once you have these programs loaded, they will make loading programs in easier (you don’t need HPuserEdit if you don’t want to go through the hassle).

Where did these programs come from? Read this:
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/comp.sys.hp48/loZFVECTxpY/QhzxPAvZfk4J
Clear as mud? No-one said this was simple. There are messy issues of headers and decoding that we shouldn’t have to fool with, but someone does.. Even if you don’t understand it all, you just have to get those IN and OUT programs up and running in your Droid48 and you won't have to worry about those details.

If you don’t want to load my dropbox-linked programs (they are safe I assure you, but it’s your prerogative), then you can type those IN and OUT programs (from the google group link above) directly into your Droid48 yourself. Just back up any important user programs/variables you may have loaded into Droid48 yourself ahead of time, because you are messing with Sys-RPL so a mis-type like O instead of 0 can crash your Droid48 program.

So three options:
1 - Use HPuserEdit program on PC
or
2 - Load IN and OUT programs from my dropbox link into your Droid48
or
3 - Type the IN and OUT programs yourself
There may be another option using Droid48 Reader, but I'm not sure about that.

 

[Robert3750]

Wonderfully comprehensive answer, plenty to work on. Thanks so much!

Edit: I have the same problem. I downloaded your program, and I can't find it on the phone! it just doesn't appear. Any ideas about what's going on? Do I save it in the SDcard?

I found it. I had to put it on the phone instead of the card.

 

[electricpete]

But when I view the SD card in Windows Explorer, the .hp48 directory IS NOT VISIBLE.

Maybe you are looking at external sd and program is on internal phone storage?

At any rate, it doesn't matter where you put a file. You can put it into whatever directory you want. The Droid48 "Put Program On Stack" command lets you navigate to wherever you want on your phone's files system to retrieve the file (use the double-dot entry to move upwards in the directory structure)

 

[electricpete]

You now have a directory Tools which contains three programs
IN0 = for loading programs into your phone from normal web format sometimes called text format.
INNOS = similar to IN0. Treats special characters differently, I think... passage of time has blurred that detail. Note there are several versions of IN in the link. I'm remembering I always used IN0 when I relied on these programs (before I got HPuserEdit)
OUT0 (for exporting programs).
that.

I remember the part that was blurry before.
NOS stands for NO String command.
I deleted the Str-> command from IN0.
It means that INNOS will retain embedded coments (IN0 will delete all comments)