Propellent Library and Executable Version 1.2 

The Parallax Propellent software is a Windows-based tool for compiling and downloading to the Parallax Propeller chip (without using the Propeller Tool development software).  Propellent is available as both a library (Propellent.dll) and as an executable (Propellent.exe). 

• The Propellent Library (DLL) is for software developers to link into applications enabling immediate support of the Propeller using the same functions as the Parallax-made Propeller Tool development software.
• The Propellent Executable (EXE) is a program that includes the Propellent Library within it and provides many of the same functions to anyone wishing for command-line support of the Propeller chip. 

Features of the Propellent Library (Propellent.dll):

• Can download Propeller Application images (.binary or .eeprom) to Propeller chips.
• Can compile Propeller source (.spin) for downloading, for saving as a binary or eeprom image, for retrieval of source document, or just for syntax checking.
• Can run with full, limited, or no visual feedback.
• Includes the Propeller Tool's multi-threaded serial port handling and Propeller chip communication functionality.
• Includes the Propeller Tool's dialogs for indicating serial port access and download progress as well as the user-customizable serial port search options.
• Automatically stores user-modified preferences in the Windows Registry for use in future sessions.  This can be disabled if desired.
• Allows access to current list of available serial ports.
• Allows calling application to view and/or specify preferences such as Library Path, Reset Signal (DTR, RTS, or both) and Serial Search Method (AUTO or specific port).
• Supports Win2K (and later) operating systems.

• Small, command-line driven application that includes the Propellent Library inside of it; there’s no need to have the Propellent.dll file to use the Propellent.exe.
• Compiles and downloads Propeller source (.spin), and downloads Propeller Application images (.binary or .eeprom) to Propeller chips.
• Allows saving of compiled source as a binary or EEPROM image.
• Can run with full, limited, or no visual feedback and messages can be redirected to an optional message file.
• Includes the Propeller Tool's multi-threaded serial port handling and Propeller chip communication functionality.
• Includes the Propeller Tool's dialogs for indicating serial port access and download progress as well as the user-customizable serial port search options.
• Stores most user-modified preferences in the Windows Registry for use in future sessions; Source Library path, Serial Search Method, Reset Signal, and graphical User Interface mode.
• Supports Win2K (and later) operating systems.

Updates to v1.2

General Updates:

• Added persistent setting /GUI (Graphical User Interface mode) that allows configuration of which visual displays will appear during operation. Settings are: 1) ON - (default) show all status and dialog messages visually, 2) STATUS - show only status messages visually, 3) DIALOGS - show only dialog messages (user prompts) visually, or 4) OFF - hide all visual messages during normal operation. Note that this setting is ignored for the /EDITPORTS function, since it requires GUI interaction, and for rare-occurrence user prompts such as the "File already exists. Overwrite?" dialog.
• [Executable] Added standard output messages for all features in Propellent.exe. These are redirectable to a file using '> file_name.extension' on the command-line.
• [Executable] Added non-persistent setting /IMAGE which combines with the /SAVEBINARY or /SAVEEEPROM switches to allow specification of a path and/or filename in which to save the image output, thus overriding the default of saving to the same path/filename as the source (with a .binary or .eeprom extension). This ability already existed in the Library via the SaveImage routine.
• Enhanced to automatically create the folder set specified via the /IMAGE switch, or via SaveImage routine, if those folders did not already exist.
• [Library] Updated GetPropellerVersion routine to return a PChar instead of a LongWord. The returned z-string contains the port and version of a detected Propeller, or an error message if none detected.
• Updated to prevent hard errors (like "No disk in drive") from appearing when accessing a file or folder that may be on a removable drive.

Bug Fixes:

• [Executable] Fixed bug that allowed the /SAVEBINARY and /SAVEEEPROM switches to be used without the /COMPILE switch, which resulted in non-intuitive and unintended behavior.
• Fixed bug that caused file error exception while saving image file.

Updates to previous release v1.1

General Updates:

• Updated embedded Propeller Executable Syntax document. 
• Enhanced serial routines to support FTDI VCP Driver v2.4.6 to avoid a possible "Write Error on COMx" message.

Visit the Propeller Articles, Software, and Documentation Downloads page to download Propellent.