BHX File – What is .bhx file and how to open it?

Definition of BHX Files

A BHX file is a file encoded in the BinHex (Binary Hexadecimal) format, which is a text-based encoding scheme used to represent binary data in a text file. It allows non-binary data to be included in email or transferred via networks that do not support binary file formats.

Features and Use of BHX Files

BHX files are generated by converting binary data into a string of hexadecimal characters, separated by line breaks. The encoded data is typically wrapped in a header and footer to indicate the start and end of the binary data. The header also contains information about the original file’s name, size, type, and attributes. BHX files are commonly used for transferring files over email or networks with restricted binary support, as they can be easily embedded within text messages. They are also used for storage and archival purposes, as they represent the original binary data in a compact and transportable format.

Decoding BinHex Encoded Files (.BHX)

BinHex is a binary-to-text encoding scheme developed by Apple in the early days of Mac OS. It was used to encode binary files, such as applications and documents, into text form, allowing them to be transmitted or stored as plain text. Files encoded with BinHex have the file extension .BHX.

To open a .BHX file, you need to use a software utility that can decode BinHex-encoded text back into its original binary format. Several free and commercial software tools are available for this purpose, including:

• MacBinary: A discontinued utility included with older versions of Mac OS that can decode BinHex-encoded files.
• BinHex: A command-line utility for Mac OS that can be used to encode and decode BinHex files.
• BBEdit: A popular text editor for Mac OS that includes built-in support for decoding BinHex files.
• StuffIt Expander: A shareware utility for Mac OS that can expand a variety of compressed file formats, including BinHex-encoded files.

Once you have installed a BinHex decoder, you can open a .BHX file by simply double-clicking on it. The decoder will automatically extract the original binary file from the text file and place it in the same folder as the original .BHX file. The decoded file will have the same name as the original, but with the .BHX extension removed.

BinHex Encoding

BinHex (Binary Hexadecimal) is a file format used to encode binary data into a text-based representation. It was developed in the early days of email and file transfer over text-based protocols, such as UUENCODE and MIME. BinHex encodes binary data as a series of hexadecimal numbers, each representing a byte of the original data. The resulting text file can be transmitted or stored in plain text format without introducing errors or corruption.

BHX File Format

A BHX file is a BinHex encoded file. It contains a header line that specifies the file type and size, followed by the encoded data. The encoded data is typically broken into multiple lines for readability. To decode a BHX file, a compatible software tool or utility is required. The tool will read the header information and decode the hexadecimal data into the original binary file. BHX files are commonly used to encode Macintosh files for transfer over email or other text-based protocols. They ensure that the original file data is preserved without any alterations or corruptions during transmission.

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