Definition of the data types used in the file format list

In the file format list, several short mnemonics are used to describe
the structure of the data stored. Here I describe the structure (and
possible conversion) between some of these types. As some types have
different sizes across the platforms, for most types the byte order and
bit size is given to describe it.

ASCIIZ A sequence of characters(->char), terminated

with the special character with the value 0.
Note that ASCIIZ strings as most structures on
Intel machines should not be larger than
64Kb due to the ancient segmentation used.
BCD Binary coded decimal
A decimal number is converted into a hexadecimal number
which has the same digits as the decimal number.
(10d becomes 10h, 21d becomes 21h)
Bitmap If a value is declared as bitmapped, that means that
every bit in this value might have a different meaning.
The bytes are numbered from right to left, the least
significant bit has the number 0. After the bit number,
there are either two statements, separated by a
slash("/"), which are the two meanings if the bit is
set / not set, or one single statement, which is the
meaning of this bit, if it is set.
Byte 8 bit unsigned number. Smallest unit a record
consists of. All offsets are in the unit bytes.
(0-255)
Char Synonym for byte, most values are between 32 and
255. (#0-#255)
DWord 32 bit signed number. Well, maybe some of the
formats use a DWord which is a 32 bit unsigned
number, but as files tend not to be greater than
2GB, this won't be my concern. To convert
between Intel and Motorola format, you have to
swap bytes #2 & #3 and bytes #1 & #4.(-2Gb-+2Gb)
Int Integer. Signed 16-bit number.
(-32767-+32767)
LString A string which is preceeded by the length. Also
named "counted" string. Used by most Pascal
implementstions Maximum length is 255 bytes, but it can
contain any char.
Nybble The upper or lower four bits of a byte. A nybble
is a single hex digit and can have values from
0 to 15. A signed nybble can have values from
-8 to 7 with bit 3 being the sign bit.
Paragraph A multiple of 16. A paragraph was the resolution of the
Intel chip 64K segments.
Word 16 bit unsigned number. Note that byte order is
important, wether you have a Motorola machine or
an Intel one. Conversion between the two formats
is simply by swapping byte #1 with byte #2.
(0-65535)

How to identify different files

While searching for different file formats, I found the following programs
helpfull to gather information about different files. They all are DOS programs
since I'm not familiar with other platforms (except Windows). Most of them
should be available on SimTel CDs or via FTP at ftp.cdrom.com, except for my
program TF, which is still in beta.

LIST.COM v9.0a by Vernon Buerg

List is a file lister which supports both text and hex-view.

HIEW.EXE v4.18 by Sen

Another file lister with build-in disassembler.

FILE.EXE v2.0 by Felix von Leitner

File is a file identification program.

Q.COM v3.01 by SemWare

QEdit is the editor I'm editing the list with.

TF.EXE v0.38 by me
The program that started it all. A "simple" file identification
program - no more, since it has grown too big by now.
Still unreleased, since it is not really extensible yet.

The file formats list meta list ;)

The file format list uses a certain format to make it readable by programs which
convert it into the WinHelp format or create program structures out of the
lists. This format is very similar to the format used by Ralf Brown in his PC
interrupt list but was extended by me to accomodate for the specific needs of
this list :

Each topic in the list is delimited by a line of 45 chars, in which the

first 8 contain the char '-'. After these, there follows one character which
contains the type of topic. The different topics are described in the list
itself, the char '!' denotes an information topic - like the list of chars and
their meaning. After the topic identifier, there follows another '-' char and
then the topic name, not containing any '-' chars. After the topic name, there
may be some other descriptors like for Motorola byte ordering, guesswork marking
or other purposes, see the main list for further information. The line is ended
with at least one '-' char. Take the following prototype :

--------?-TEST------------------------------

OFFSET Count TYPE Description

EXTENSION:
OCCURENCES:
PROGRAMS:
REFERENCE:
SEE ALSO:
VALIDATION:

Sub-topics like different records are mostly delimited by three dashes ('-').
I suggest folding them up and making them available as a popup window.

Tables have the following format :

(see table 0000)
for a table reference and
(Table 0000)
for the beginning of a table. The end of a table is undefined (yet).
 A primer on file formats

Abbrevations
Throughout the list, many abbrevations are used, some in the reference
section. Here some are explained :

c't
The c't is a german computer magazine, which developed the Borland
Pascal for OS/2 patch. They release source code in files called
CTmmyy.*. Note that comments in the source code and the language in
the issues tend to be german :-)

DDJxxyy
(Doctor Dobb's Journal)
The DDJ is a monthly publication by M&T/US which is intended for the
professional programmer. The four digits after the name indicate the
month/year of the issue referred to. Most of the sourcecode published
in the issue is available electronically on Compu$erve and other BBSes.
The files have the name DDJyymm.

PDN
Programmer's Distribution Net
A network dedicated to the distribution of source code useful to
programmers. Often linked with Fido-nodes.

Contributions to this list were made by :

Ralf Brown (The .EXE file formats from the INTERRUPT List, general layout)
Daniel Dissett (ddissett@netcom.com)
Marcus Groeber (marcusg@ph-cip.uni-koeln.de)
Darrel Hankerson (hankedr@mail.auburn.edu)
Carl Hauser (chauser.parc@xerox.com)
Jouni Miettunen (jon@stekt.oulu.fi)
Jan Nicolai Langfeldt (janl@ifi.uio.no)
Mark Ouellet (Telix .FON structures)
Greg Roelofs (roe2@midway.uchicago.edu)
Jesus Villena (CONVERT.EXE, a digital sample conversion program)
Christos Zoulas (christos@deshaw.com)

Information gleaned from other programs :

Formats for Word and WordPerfect (Selke's filetype)