1

Until today when I had to look at binary files, I did that with HxD. Since this were single non-repetitive actions I had to perform, this was sufficient for me. However, the upcoming task requires that I look a certain binary file more often and interpret and modify the contents (I'm working in QA).

While the file format was developed in-house, there's neither a tool available from our development department that would parse the file for me and display it in a human readable format nor a tool to modify single items.

On my search for such a tool, I found 101 Editor which has "binary templates" which looks very much like what I need, i.e. I tell the hex editor how to interpret the file (boolean, int, long etc.) and the editor then provides a nice way to display and modify the values.

That tool should work on Windows and be gratis.

Improve this question
3
  • I would be happy ot develop such a tool on a consultancy basis :-)
    – Mawg says reinstate Monica
    Jul 6, 2016 at 13:12
  • 1
    @Mawg: that's totally fine, since it's tagged gratis, you can develop it for free :-D
    – Thomas Weller
    Jul 6, 2016 at 13:15
  • lol - as can whoever came up with it in house. But, since they won't, my offer stands :-)
    – Mawg says reinstate Monica
    Jul 6, 2016 at 13:46

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
0

Hexinator

  • has a similar feature to binary templates that is called a grammar. It allows to insert numbers, strings, structs and binary blobs. If that's not enough, it has scripting capabilities in Python and Lua

  • the values can then be edited nicely (e.g. in decimal instead of hex). The hex area can be highlighted.

  • works on Windows

  • is supposed to be a test version gratis, but if I understand the EULA correctly, there's nothing that prevents you from using it for a longer period of time.

Drawbacks:

it seems to have issues with more than one open grammar + one open file. When opening a second file for the same grammer, it crashed. Save early and save often.

Screenshot of a partially analyzed file:

Screenshot

Improve this answer
1
  • 1
    very buggy indeed
    – beppe9000
    Dec 12, 2018 at 19:25
0

I use my Binary Editor for this kind of task. Seems to meet stated requirements of decoding files, editing, running on Windows. http://www.nyangau.org/be/be.htm

Improve this answer
2
  • Thanks. I didn't mention it in my question, but I expected something with a user interface.
    – Thomas Weller
    Apr 2, 2017 at 8:13
  • It has a textual user interface, rather than a graphical one. To see it, look at 9:40 in youtu.be/wXxisSPAZhk
    – Andy Key
    Apr 2, 2017 at 8:27

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.