slxdecode

slxdecode [options] infile database

infile
    The input SLX file containing the CAN data to be decoded.

database
    The database file (e.g., a .dbc file) containing the CAN message and signal definitions.

-f format
    Specify the output format. Supported formats include: ascii, csv, json, etc. Defaults to ASCII.

-v
    Enable verbose output, providing more detailed information about the decoding process.

-s signal
    Only decode specific signals. Multiple -s options can be used.

The `slxdecode` command is a utility used to decode CAN (Controller Area Network) bus data that is stored in a specific file format known as SLX. SLX is a proprietary data format often used for storing vehicle network data. `slxdecode` parses this data, referencing a database file (.dbc or similar) to translate raw CAN messages (IDs and data) into human-readable signals and their values. This enables users to analyze CAN traffic and understand what parameters are being transmitted and received on the bus. It provides a way to convert raw data streams into meaningful information for automotive diagnostics, reverse engineering, or developing CAN-based applications. Usually you pipe the output to another command to make use of the data like `slxdecode infile.slx database.dbc | grep EngineSpeed`

Decoding SLX files requires a corresponding database file that defines the CAN message and signal layouts. Without a valid database, the output will be meaningless or an error will be raised. The exact options available may vary depending on the specific `slxdecode` implementation.

The ascii output format is designed for human readability. csv (Comma Separated Values) is useful for importing the decoded data into spreadsheets or databases. json provides a structured data representation suitable for programmatic processing.

The database used by `slxdecode` is typically in the form of a .dbc file (CANdb format) or a similar format that describes the CAN messages, signals, and their corresponding scaling and offsets. Different tools might support varying database formats.

The `slxdecode` command likely originated within the automotive or embedded systems domain, where CAN bus analysis is common. Its development and usage are closely tied to the need for tools to interpret and analyze CAN traffic captured during vehicle development, testing, and diagnostics. The specific history of `slxdecode` may be difficult to trace without knowing which specific CAN tool suite includes it.

candump(1), canplayer(1), cangen(1)