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HP-41CX Emulator Tool - Converter

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HP-41CX Emulator Tool - Converter #

Bridge the gaps between eras and emulators with the Converter—the nimble heart of the hp41cx_tools suite, transforming FOCAL source code from one dialect to another with the grace of a well-orchestrated Ada task! This command-line ally effortlessly shifts between Unicode (.utf8.focal), DM41 (.dm41.focal with double quotes), and PX-41CX (.px41.focal with single quotes) formats, tweaking quotes, alpha strings, and unsupported commands to ensure smooth interoperability. Crafted in steadfast Ada 2022 and powered by the elegant AdaCL.SAR library for pattern matching, it runs flawlessly on macOS, Linux, and Windows—ideal for ZShell scripts that weave vintage programmes into modern workflows.

Why convert? In our welcoming retro computing fold, tools like Pierre Houbert’s PX41CX_Interface.xls shine for both emulators and real hardware, but subtle format quirks—like quote styles or glyph mappings—can snag the uninitiated. The Converter smooths those edges, letting you share code freely across communities, whether you’re feeding a DM41X or tweaking for physical HP-41CX modules. Not every permutation is baked in yet (DM41 to PX-41CX is live, with others queuing up), but thanks to AdaCL.SAR’s modular magic, adding a new one is as straightforward as a procedure call—truly, the poetry of extensible design!

Example: Conversion #

Convert DM41 FOCAL code to PX-41CX format, adjusting quotes and commenting unsupported commands:

hp41cx_tools-main --convert --in=dm41 --out=px41 in_program.dm41.focal out_program.px41.focal

Extending the Converter: A Snippet in Ada #

Fancy a bespoke converter, say from Unicode to PX-41CX? It’s disarmingly simple—leverage AdaCL.SAR for search-and-replace rules, and you’re away. Here’s a glimpse of the Unicode_To_PX41 function, showcasing how alpha delimiters, content mappings, and commands are handled with ordered precision:

   function Unicode_To_PX41 return SAR_F.List.Vector is
      pragma Debug (Trace.Entering);

      Retval : SAR_F.List.Vector;
   begin
      --  Order is important — do not sort unless you know what you are doing.
      --

      --  Alpha Append Delimiter
      --
      Retval.Append (SAR_Text.Create (Search_Text => """⊦", Replace_Text => ">'"));
      Retval.Append (SAR_Text.Create (Search_Text => "'⊦", Replace_Text => ">'"));
      Retval.Append (SAR_Text.Create (Search_Text => "`⊦", Replace_Text => ">'"));
      Retval.Append (SAR_Text.Create (Search_Text => "⊤⊦", Replace_Text => ">'"));

      --  Alpha Delimiter
      --
      Retval.Append (SAR_Text.Create (Search_Text => """", Replace_Text => "'"));
      Retval.Append (SAR_Text.Create (Search_Text => "`", Replace_Text => "'"));
      Retval.Append (SAR_Text.Create (Search_Text => "⊤", Replace_Text => "'"));

      --  Alpha Content
      --
      Retval.Append (SAR_Text.Create (Search_Text => "␀", Replace_Text => ""));
      Retval.Append (Alpha.Create_41 (Search_Text => "Σ", Replace_Text => "~"));
      Retval.Append (Alpha.Create_41 (Search_Text => "↑", Replace_Text => "^"));
      Retval.Append (Alpha.Create_41 (Search_Text => "Σ", Replace_Text => "~"));
      Retval.Append (Alpha.Create_41 (Search_Text => "≠", Replace_Text => "\x1D"));

      --  Built-in Commands
      --
      Retval.Append (Command.Create_41 (Search_Text => "ENTER↑", Replace_Text => "ENTER "));
      Retval.Append (Command.Create_41 (Search_Text => "↑", Replace_Text => "^"));
      Retval.Append (Command.Create_41 (Search_Text => "Σ", Replace_Text => "S"));
      Retval.Append (Command.Create_41 (Search_Text => "≠", Replace_Text => "#"));

      --  Comments
      --
      Retval.Append (Stack.Create_41);

      pragma Debug (Trace.Exiting (Out_Parameter => Retval'Image));
      return Retval;
   end Unicode_To_PX41;

Spot the elegance? Each rule builds on the last, ensuring transformations cascade just so—no fuss, all fidelity. If your favourite tool or hardware needs a custom bridge, dive in—fork on SourceForge, tweak a function, and submit a pull. Let’s knit our retro tapestry tighter, one converter at a time!