Difference between revisions of "File Format Research"
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| − | When trying to figure out the type of a file | + | When trying to figure out the structure of a new type of a file, you must first do research. |
| − | Here's some useful sites | + | Here's some useful sites we have found for deciphering files. |
| − | * [https://www.google.com/?tbm=pts Google Patent Search] | + | * [https://www.google.com/?tbm=pts Google Patent Search] - It is a long shot but you just might find something useful here. |
| − | * [https://github.com/zsx/ossbuild/blob/a510b4fb1b15922c14dd6311a24f139b8a790699/Main/GStreamer/Source/gst-plugins-good/gst/qtdemux/qtdemux.c Great list of FourCCs] | + | * [https://github.com/zsx/ossbuild/blob/a510b4fb1b15922c14dd6311a24f139b8a790699/Main/GStreamer/Source/gst-plugins-good/gst/qtdemux/qtdemux.c Great list of FourCCs] - A [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FourCC FourCC] is a Four Character Code that is used to identify a data blob. |
See if there's existing code: | See if there's existing code: | ||
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Existing file format description: | Existing file format description: | ||
| − | * [https://www.loc.gov/preservation/digital/formats/fdd/ | + | * [https://www.loc.gov/preservation/digital/formats/fdd/browse_list.shtml Library of Congress] - Librarians are fighting a battle of being able to read old digital files. Paper is easy, bits are not. |
| − | * [https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/openspecs/windows_protocols/ms-winprotlp/92b33e19-6fff-496b-86c3-d168206f9845 Microsoft Protocols] | + | * [https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/openspecs/windows_protocols/ms-winprotlp/92b33e19-6fff-496b-86c3-d168206f9845 Microsoft Protocols] - Microsoft has released documentation on a lot of their file formats. |
Latest revision as of 12:03, 17 August 2021
When trying to figure out the structure of a new type of a file, you must first do research. Here's some useful sites we have found for deciphering files.
- Google Patent Search - It is a long shot but you just might find something useful here.
- Great list of FourCCs - A FourCC is a Four Character Code that is used to identify a data blob.
See if there's existing code:
- Github - Good place to search for "magic" values. Usually four bytes, search for the decimal and hexadecimal values both big and little endian.
Existing file format description:
- Library of Congress - Librarians are fighting a battle of being able to read old digital files. Paper is easy, bits are not.
- Microsoft Protocols - Microsoft has released documentation on a lot of their file formats.
