Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!husc6!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!wnre.aecl.CDN!delaneyg
From: delaneyg@wnre.aecl.CDN
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple
Subject: Re: binascii
Message-ID: <113*delaneyg@wnre.aecl.cdn>
Date: 5 Mar 89 04:33:00 GMT
References: <8903021819.aa10237@SMOKE.BRL.MIL>
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Organization: The Internet
Lines: 28


>"Binscii" *usually* means a binary to ASCII conversion which I've ASSUMED
>(I'll learn to NEVER assume :-) means EXECUTIONER format (or, perhaps,
>the hold "hexified" binary) for Apple 2 software.


--- Comments folks? ---

Currently I know of 3 programs which will convert a APPLE FILE (not
necessarily BINARY) as they keep the file type to a ELECTRONICALLY
transmitable for on this network.  The limitations being Standard ASCII
characters and no more than 79 characters per line.  The EXECUTIVE, 
EXECUTIONER and BINSCII.  The Executive is the closest to what Murphy 
describes a Binary to ASCII each byte is converted to its HEX equivalent.
Executioner offered both a 4 and 6 bit packing with a program attached to
return the file to its original format by EXECing it.  Unfortunaly the six
bit format containes characters that certain IBM computers like to change to 
other characters.  Then cam the new man on the block BINSCII.  This offeres
six bit packing in characters that can be transmitted to any computer.  The
only disadvantage being that you have to have the program BINSCII to extract
the file.  

Why the need for 6 bit packing.  SIZE.  Typically a file created by EXECUTIVE
was 3 to 4 times the size of the original. EXECUTIONER in 4 BIT 2.1 time
BINSCII 1.5 times.  The use of any or all of these is dictated by you the 
consumer.  I know as some who has to look at the Bills for communication 
charges I'll take the smallest file possible.