Few questions with regard to programming 101-Big Picture

[CSH-HQ]

>I am trying to find a program I got several years ago used for the GM 
>Alternate Fuel Challenge. Students were given a program for altering the prom 
>to maximize the vehicle for alternate fuel use. If I can find it, would that 
>be of interest to the group?

I'd be interested if it's for a gm ecm.
>
snip
>
>1) What is the current status of the ecm projects?

Lots of folks working on different ones.  Do you have a particular one that 
your interested in?.
>
>I have read eproms before and seen the hex file in the editor.  Many 
>discussions were about bin files. 
>
>2) Is the bin file a conversion of the hex file?

Yes, there are several sifferent types, just .bin seems to be the most 
universally used.  Some of the gurus, perfer others thou.
>
>3) I suppose it is easier to read in bin form, then it has to be converted 
>back to hex to burn prom?

Depends on you burner's program.
>
>4) What is the best and easiest prom editing software. PromEdit,  DelcoEdit, 
>MapEdit?

Mapedit?, who's that?.
As far as actual editing software the only two to consider in my book is 
gmepro, and tunercat.  If doing a 8051 then Ken Kelly has one available.
All offer more then what most folks need to get by with.  What one doesn't 
have application wise, the other seems to have for all the most common ecms.
Tunercat has some hacs posted at his site, which are very helpful.
>
>5) In the prom_edit ecu file sample I can't figure out how to read it for 
>example. I read the help file and I need help. 
>
>{0x002, 2, 1, 1, 0, 0.0, 0, 1  ,PromID}
>
>I believe the prom id is 2 bytes long. What is the relatioship between the 2, 
>1, 1, 0, 0.0, 0, 1 and the data contained in the location 0x002?
>
>6) Is the xxx.ecu file just for the PromEdit software?

Yes
>
>7) If you alter the code in the prom won't the checksum values be incorrect?

Yes.
 
>Does the checksum have to be disabled?

The commercial editing kits, do the recalculation, and enter it for you.
But, it is disableable (?).
Grumpy
>
>Thanks in advance
>
>Jon
>