arm2hpdl

arm2hpdl [-h] [-v] [-o outfile.dl] infile.elf

-h
    Display usage help and exit

-v
    Display version information and exit

-o outfile
    Specify output .dl file (default: infile.dl)

The arm2hpdl command is a specialized utility for developers targeting Hewlett-Packard graphing calculators, particularly the HP Prime, which uses an ARM9 processor. It converts standard ARM Thumb ELF executables into the proprietary .dl (Download) format required for loading native applications onto the device.

This tool strips unnecessary ELF sections, relocates code and data to match the calculator's memory layout, embeds metadata like entry points and stack sizes, and applies HP-specific headers for firmware compatibility. It is part of the HP Prime SDK and community toolchains like those from hpmuseum.org.

Usage typically follows compilation with the HP GCC cross-compiler (arm-none-eabi-gcc configured for Thumb). The resulting ELF is then processed by arm2hpdl to produce a flashable module. This enables running high-performance native C/C++ programs on the calculator, bypassing the slower HP PPL scripting language.

Requires input ELF linked specifically for HP Prime (ARM Thumb, fixed addresses like 0x10000000). Non-compatible builds (e.g., standard ARM or position-independent) fail silently or corrupt output. Not for signed apps; use HP's official tools for production. Source compilation needed on most systems.

arm2hpdl -o myapp.dl myapp.elf
Converts myapp.elf to myapp.dl for USB transfer to HP Prime.

Compile with arm-none-eabi-gcc using HP Prime syslib (-mcpu=cortex-m3 -mthumb). Linker script sets load address.

Developed circa 2014 for HP Prime SDK by HP and community (hpgcc, hpmuseum.org). Evolved from earlier HP calc tools like hp48cc for older RPL/Saturn calcs. Maintained in open-source forks post-HP SDK discontinuation.

objcopy(1), arm-none-eabi-objdump(1), ld(1)