Prime Bookie: This app allows a plain text file to be converted to an HP Prime program.

Features:

Step 1: Downloading

The .exe file that gets downloaded is around 18-19 MB. That's why it isn't included in the hpcalc.org download package. It's just a command line program, but the large file size is because it's embedded with the Microsoft .NET 8.0 runtime. It will also receive live updates in case bugs are encountered or if there are new features. You can simply re-run the installation script to get the latest version.

Step 2: Ensuring write permissions:

Make sure you place this project's files inside a directory that has permission to read files, write files, and create directories. Your user's Documents folder should do the trick.

Creating your first Prime eBook:

Step 3: Enter fully qualified path to the plain text file.

Step 4: Hint - The program will let you know if your book needs to be split into multiple files.

Press any key to acknowledge. The maximum number of chunks is 5. Otherwise, it could freeze your device.

Step 5: Choose a font size. The font size can be any number between 9-24. The recommended size is either 11 or 12, but you're free to go higher or lower.

Step 6: Name the program

You can provide any name, but the characters MUST only contain letters A-Z, only uppercase allowed. Just type the name and hit enter.

Step 7: Navigating to output directory.

As a reminder, the program must be placed into a directory with permissions to read/write files and create directories. If all goes well, the script finishes and creates a folder called "output" in the same directory that the .exe is running in.

Within the output directory, you'll see a folder that starts with "bookie_" and has 4 random characters at the end. You can sort by datetime created in order to get the most recently compiled eBook.

Step 8: Deploying to device:

The next step is to deploy the files to your device. You'll do this using the official HP Connectivity Kit.

  • Click the icon that looks like a document with a green 'plus' sign in the upper-right corner. Choose "Program".



  • The first file you deploy should be the one that ends with _support.src. The files must be deployed in a strict order..

    Note: HP Connectivity Kit can be buggy. Sometimes, when you click create program, you'll type in a name, copy/paste, hit save, and then it doesn't initially appear as a program in the left-side program box.




    To fix this (if it happens), simply create a new program a second time and it should work.


  • Again, the first file to deploy should be the end ending with "_support.src". This is the file that contains logic for rendering characters, etc. You can name it something like "support". Just copy/paste it into the program editor and hit save. It should then appear on the left-side box.



    Next: The "pages" files. Go ahead and navigate to the same directory where the support file was located. Use the HP Connectivity Kit again to create new programs, one program for each file ending with "_pages.src". Hit save, then drag and drop it onto your device in the left-side box.

    Final Deployment Step: The last file (whatever you named your book at the command line program's final input prompt needs to also be transferred.


Once Deployed, Last Step...To be completed on device



The following must be done in sequential order.

First: Edit the "support" file and then hit the "check" button on the far-right. Afterwards, do the same for each of the "page" files. Lastly, the actual book program file.


Next: Click the "Check" button on the far-right



Note: You will see a loading/processing hour glass icon in the upper-right corner. These programs are large, so the files have to be compiled in order for the program to work properly. Just give HP a bit of time to do the compilation. It may take a while, but eventually you'll get there.




Almost ready...

The final step is to initialize the program. Go to your book program file (the one without "pages" and without "support" in the filenames. Click the Run button



Now, you should be able to run the "READ_[book name]" function.

Using the Program

Press 4 or left arrow to paginate back. Press 6 or right arrow to paginate forward.


Press 2 or 8 to toggle between light mode/dark mode.


Press 0 or "Esc" to Exit the Program


Troubleshooting:

If your calculator freezes up, you can simply just hold down the "On" button and then press down on the "Symb" button to reset.