TI-89 Link Protocol Guide

TI-89 Link Protocol Guide - File formats

File Formats

The TI-89 Graph Link software stores variables in several types of files. Single variables are stored in files that have an extension that corresponds with their type. Groups of variables are stored in files with the extension ".89g" and backups with the extension ".89g" also. However, all of these file types have a common format apart from FLASH files.
Note: TI89/92/92+ have the same common file format.

The different file types and contents that the TI-89 Graph Link software can read and write are shown below.

Extension Extension Extension Description

.89a .9xa .v2a TI-89 figure

.89g .89g .89g TI-89 system backup

.89c .89c .89c TI-89 data

.89d .89d .89d TI-89 GDB (Graphic Data Base)

.89e .89e .89e TI-89 expression

.89f .89f .89f TI-89 function

.89g .89g .89g Multiple TI-89 variables of varying types (group)

.89i .89i .89i TI-89 picture (image)

.89k .89k .89k TI-89 FLASH application

.89l .89l .89l TI-89 list

.89m .89m .89m TI-89 matrix

.89p .89p .89p TI-89 program

.89s .89s .89s TI-89 string

.89t .89t .89t TI-89 text

.89u .89u .89u TI-89 Operating System (AMS)

.89x .89x .89x TI-89 macro

.89z .89z .89z TI89 assembly program

Extension	Extension	Extension	Description
.89a	.9xa	.v2a	TI-89 figure
.89g	.89g	.89g	TI-89 system backup
.89c	.89c	.89c	TI-89 data
.89d	.89d	.89d	TI-89 GDB (Graphic Data Base)
.89e	.89e	.89e	TI-89 expression
.89f	.89f	.89f	TI-89 function
.89g	.89g	.89g	Multiple TI-89 variables of varying types (group)
.89i	.89i	.89i	TI-89 picture (image)
.89k	.89k	.89k	TI-89 FLASH application
.89l	.89l	.89l	TI-89 list
.89m	.89m	.89m	TI-89 matrix
.89p	.89p	.89p	TI-89 program
.89s	.89s	.89s	TI-89 string
.89t	.89t	.89t	TI-89 text
.89u	.89u	.89u	TI-89 Operating System (AMS)
.89x	.89x	.89x	TI-89 macro
.89z	.89z	.89z	TI89 assembly program

The TI-89 variable file format

The TI-89 variable file format has three parts: a header, a variable table and a data section.

The header appears at the beginning of the file and takes the following format:
Note - All 2-byte and 4-byte integers are stored little-endian Intel-style (least significant byte first).

Offset Length Description

0 8 bytes 8-character signature. The signature is always "**TI89**".

8 2 bytes 2-byte further signature. These two bytes always contain {01h, 00h} = {1, 0}.

10 (Ah) 8 bytes Default folder name (zero terminated unless 8 characters long).

18 (12h) 40 (28h) bytes Comment. The comment is either zero-terminated or padded on the right with space characters.

58 (3Ah) 2 bytes Number of variable and folder entries in the variable table.

Note: If the first byte of the default folder name is 0, then the default folder is the current folder on the receiving unit.

The variable table comes immediately after the header and consists of a number of 16-byte entries, each taking the format described below. Folder entries share the same table. The variables described before the first folder entry are assumed to be in the default folder. Variables described after any given folder entry are placed in that folder.
If no folder entries are included, then variables are considered to be part of the folder named at file offset 0x0A. If this is null, then it is considered to be in the current directory when a link program sends it.

Each variable entry follows this format:

Offset Length Description

0 4 bytes Offset to the data for this variable from the beginning of the file.

4 8 bytes Name of variable (zero terminated if not 8 characters long).

12 (Ch) 1 byte Type ID of the variable.

13 (Dh) 1 byte Attribute (0: none, 1: locked, 2: archived)

14 (Eh) 2 bytes Unused - each byte has a value of 0.

Folder entries follow this format:

Offset Length Description

0 4 bytes Offset to the data for the next variable from the beginning of the file.

4 8 bytes Name of variable (zero terminated if not 8 characters long).

12 (Ch) 1 byte Type ID of the variable. For folders, this value is always 1Fh.

13 (Dh) 1 byte Unused - this byte has a value of 0.

14 (Eh) 2 bytes The number of variables in this folder.

Offset	Length	Description
0	4 bytes	Offset to the data for this variable from the beginning of the file.
4	8 bytes	Name of variable (zero terminated if not 8 characters long).
12 (Ch)	1 byte	Type ID of the variable.
13 (Dh)	1 byte	Attribute (0: none, 1: locked, 2: archived)
14 (Eh)	2 bytes	Unused - each byte has a value of 0.

Offset	Length	Description
0	4 bytes	Offset to the data for the next variable from the beginning of the file.
4	8 bytes	Name of variable (zero terminated if not 8 characters long).
12 (Ch)	1 byte	Type ID of the variable. For folders, this value is always 1Fh.
13 (Dh)	1 byte	Unused - this byte has a value of 0.
14 (Eh)	2 bytes	The number of variables in this folder.

Finally, the data section, which follows the variable table, has this format:

Offset Length Description

0 4 bytes The file size, in bytes.

4 2 bytes A 2-byte signature. These two bytes always contain {A5h, 5Ah}.

6 n bytes Data section.

Offset	Length	Description
0	4 bytes	The file size, in bytes.
4	2 bytes	A 2-byte signature. These two bytes always contain {A5h, 5Ah}.
6	n bytes	Data section.

The data section consists of several variable data parts back-to-back, in order of their listing in the variable table. Each variable part has this format:

Offset Length Description

0 m bytes The variable data. This field includes all bytes transferred in data packets. The first five bytes usually all have a value of 0.

m 2 bytes Checksum. This is the lower 16 bits of the sum of all bytes in the first four bytes and the variable data.

Offset	Length	Description
0	m bytes	The variable data. This field includes all bytes transferred in data packets. The first five bytes usually all have a value of 0.
m	2 bytes	Checksum. This is the lower 16 bits of the sum of all bytes in the first four bytes and the variable data.

A simplification of the TI-89 file format for a single variable

Files containing single variables are a simple yet common example of the TI-89 file format. In this special case, the file format can be simplified as follows:

Offset	Length	Description
0	8 bytes	8-character signature. The signature is always "`TI89`".
8	2 bytes	2-byte further signature. These two bytes always contain {01h, 00h} = {1, 0}.
10 (Ah)	8 bytes	The parent folder of the variable (zero terminated if not 8 characters long) - See note below.
18 (12h)	40 (28h) bytes	Comment. The comment is either zero-terminated or padded on the right with space characters.
58 (3Ah)	6 bytes	These 6 bytes always contain {01h, 00h, 52h, 00h, 00h, 00h} = {1, 0, 82, 0, 0, 0}.
64 (40h)	8 bytes	The name of the variable (zero terminated if not 8 characters long).
72 (48h)	1 byte	The type ID for this variable.
73 (49h)	3 bytes	These three bytes always have a value of 0.
76 (4Ch)	4 bytes	The file size, in bytes.
80 (50h)	2 bytes	A 2-byte signature. These two bytes always contain {A5h, 5Ah}.
82 (52h)	n bytes	The variable data. This field includes all bytes transferred in data packets. The first four bytes usually all have a value of 0.
82 (52h)+n	2 bytes	Checksum. This is the lower 16 bits of the sum of all bytes in the variable data.

Note: If the first byte of the name of the parent folder is 0, then the variable is put into the current folder on the receiving unit.

The TI-89 backup file format

The TI-89 does not have a true backup capability. Indeed, a backup file is simply a group file and have the .89g file extension.
Nethertheless, backup files get with the TIGL software does not keep the attribute of the variable (locked or archived). So, if a backup with previously archived variables is sent to the calc, the variables will not be archived and a 'Not enough memory' may occur !
But, TiLP supports a slightly modified .89g file format which allow to keep this attribute. This enhanced group file format is 100% fully compatible with the TIGL software.

The only modification (in italic) has been made on the variable entry format:

Offset Length Description

0 4 bytes Offset to the data for this variable from the beginning of the file.

4 8 bytes Name of variable (zero terminated if not 8 characters long).

12 (Ch) 1 byte Type ID of the variable.

13 (Dh) 1 bytes Attribute: 1Dh (none), 26h (locked) or 27h (archived)

14 (Eh) 2 bytes Unused - each byte has a value of 0.

Offset	Length	Description
0	4 bytes	Offset to the data for this variable from the beginning of the file.
4	8 bytes	Name of variable (zero terminated if not 8 characters long).
12 (Ch)	1 byte	Type ID of the variable.
13 (Dh)	1 bytes	Attribute: 1Dh (none), 26h (locked) or 27h (archived)
14 (Eh)	2 bytes	Unused - each byte has a value of 0.

The TI-89 FLASH file format

A FLASH file usually contains between 1 and 3 headers with data and the header has the same format than the TI83+ one.
Headers can contain : license or data (app/os/certificate).

The header takes the following format:
Note - All 2-byte and 4-byte integers are stored little-endian Intel-style (least significant byte first).

Offset Length Description

0 8 bytes 8-character signature. The signature is always "**TIFL**".

8 2 bytes Revision number (BCD coded): major.minor.

9 1 byte Flags (usually set to 00h).

10 (Ah) 1 byte Object type (00h).

12 (Ch) 4 bytes Binary-Coded-Decimal date such as {dd, mm, yy, yy} for 'dd/mm/yyyy'.

16 (10h) 1 bytes Name length

17 (11h) 8 bytes Application name or 'basecode' for OS or '' for certificate. Name is null-terminated unless 8 characters long.

25 (19h) 23 bytes Filler (unused, set to 00h).

48 (30h) 1 byte Device type (TI73: 74h, TI83+: 73h, TI89: 98h, TI92+: 88h)

49 (31h) 1 byte Data type (os: 23h, application: 24h, certificate: 25h, license: 3Eh)

50 (32H) 22 bytes Filler (unused, set to 00h).

72 (48h)
2 bytes
Hardware ID (1 = 92+, 3 = 89, 8 = V200, 9 = Titanium); see TIGCC doc.

74 (4Ah) 4 bytes Size of data in bytes

78 (4Eh) n bytes Data.

78 (4Eh)+n 2 bytes Checksum. This is the lower 16 bits of the sum of all bytes in the variable data.

Offset	Length	Description
0	8 bytes	8-character signature. The signature is always "`TIFL`".
8	2 bytes	Revision number (BCD coded): major.minor.
9	1 byte	Flags (usually set to 00h).
10 (Ah)	1 byte	Object type (00h).
12 (Ch)	4 bytes	Binary-Coded-Decimal date such as {dd, mm, yy, yy} for 'dd/mm/yyyy'.
16 (10h)	1 bytes	Name length
17 (11h)	8 bytes	Application name or 'basecode' for OS or '' for certificate. Name is null-terminated unless 8 characters long.
25 (19h)	23 bytes	Filler (unused, set to 00h).
48 (30h)	1 byte	Device type (TI73: 74h, TI83+: 73h, TI89: 98h, TI92+: 88h)
49 (31h)	1 byte	Data type (os: 23h, application: 24h, certificate: 25h, license: 3Eh)
50 (32H)	22 bytes	Filler (unused, set to 00h).
72 (48h)	2 bytes	Hardware ID (1 = 92+, 3 = 89, 8 = V200, 9 = Titanium); see TIGCC doc.
74 (4Ah)	4 bytes	Size of data in bytes
78 (4Eh)	n bytes	Data.
78 (4Eh)+n	2 bytes	Checksum. This is the lower 16 bits of the sum of all bytes in the variable data.

The data section contains pure raw data which are directly sent to the calculator.

There is an old format, called TIB but still used by developers. Its format is below: The document comes from PedRom sources and is copyrighted as GPL by Patrick Pelissier.

Variable Formats
Table of Contents
Tokens and Characters

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