Encoded File Formats
WHAT IS AN ENCODED FILE?
An Encoded file can be any file on a computer system that is stored in a format other than simple text. A file can be encoded using a specific encoding scheme to store it as an encoded file. The encoding scheme depends on the purpose of the encoding.
A file can be encoded for many purposes, including using compression to save storage space, applying encryption for security purposes, or converting data into a specific format (JSON for example) to make it easy to communicate between different software or protocols.
HOW ARE ENCODED FILES USED?
The Encoded file category encompasses many categories of file formats and are used in numerous applications. For example, backup software often uses compression encoding to save hard disk space, while messaging services like WhatsApp use encryption for transferring secure messages over the Internet.
Search File Types
What Are Popular Encoded Files Extensions?
| HEX The HEX or Binary-to-Hexadecimal file format is used to store data in a hexadecimal encoding. It was primarily used by Apple's Mac OSX to send binary files through e-mail. Files created using this technique require more storage space than the original file. A HEX file usually contains an identifier message on the first line, following by the actual data in an encoded format (which looks more like a random combination of letters, numbers, and special characters). | |
| SPD The SPD or Sealed Acrobat Document file format is used by an Adobe Acrobat document which has been locked by SealedMedia, a form of information security technology. The license and user information is stored on a server which tracks the document's usage and only allows the document to be opened by a user with the valid access rights. | |
| BIN The BIN or MacBinary Encoded File Format is used to store a binary or MacBinary file in a compressed form. It combines two forks of Mac OSX into a single file, and also stores the extended metadata for Macintosh's Hierarchical File System (HFS), allowing the file to be easy transferred over the internet. | |
| UUE The UUE or Uuencoded File format is used to store files encoded with a Unix program used to convert binary-to-text called Uuencode. This process of encoding, called “Uuencoding”, is done so that text files don't lose their original format when transferred via email. | |
| MIM The MIM or Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME) file format is used to extend the capabilities of an email to support text (in character sets other than ASCII), non-text attachments like images, video, audio, and other message information like multiple parts and headers. Currently, most emails are transmitted over the internet in MIME format via SMTP or POP. |
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