8.2.3.17 Format Hexmate Option

The -format=type[,length] option specifies the format of the Intel HEX file to output and optionally the maximum record data length in the output file.

A simple use-case of this option is to change the format of a HEX file; for example, from an INHX16 to an INHX32 format. It can also be used to specify the output file type after merging input HEX files (possibly with different formats) and/or inserting or adjusting values into the data.

The type argument specifies a named INHX format to generate, such as INHX16, as tabulated below. These formats are discussed in 8.2.2.1 HEX File Formats. Note that the address range of data to be output might dictate which formats can be used.

The length argument is optional and sets the maximum number of bytes per data record. A valid length for this option is between 1 and 255 decimal, inclusive, with 16 being the default if a length is not specified with the option.

The possible formats that are supported by this option are listed below. Note that the INHX032 selection is not an actual named INHX format. Specifying this format generates an INHX32 format file, but it will also initialize the upper base address to zero using an Extended Linear Address (type 4) record. This initialization is a requirement of some device programmers.