viewing/information of binary files


 
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# 1  
Old 10-03-2006
viewing/information of binary files

Hi all,

Is there a way of viewing a binary file through a UNIX session? Or perhaps viewing information of a binary file through a session?

thanks
# 2  
Old 10-03-2006
The file command line utility tells you what flavor of binary file you have.
In general, you have to know the file layout, and read it with code (usually stuff you write in C or perl) that is set for that format - in order to get information like numeric binary data into human readable form.

example:
Code:
/home/jmcnama> file RegBill01.ps
RegBill01.ps:   postscript file

There are other utilities like strings and what -- they will also render some data into a human readable format.

Otherwise you have to find/write something to read a binary file
# 3  
Old 10-03-2006
thanks strings worked a treat! Smilie

ocelot
 
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