21.011 What is a "Binary II" header?
Description
This article is from the Apple II Csa2 FAQ, by Jeff Hurlburt with numerous contributions by others.
21.011 What is a "Binary II" header?
A Binary II header is a small block of code tacked onto some Apple II
files. Sometimes, this is referred to as a "binary wrapper". Mainly, the Binary
II header contains filetype information. The purpose of Binary II is to allow
Apple II users to download files and have them show up with the correct
filetype. (Otherwise, a downloaded file tends to show up as a TXT type file.)
In order for a Binary II header to be recognized and used to supply the
filetype info, the Apple II downloading software must have its "Binary Down"
option set to ON. The problem with this is that, at least on a few popular
telecom wares (like Spectrum), setting "Binary Down" to ON will turn OFF Resume
Transfer, something you probably do not want to do when downloading over phone
lines.
When you use a PC or Mac to handle downloads and, then, NULL-modem the
files to your Apple, it makes sense to leave "Binary Down" ON for the telecom
program running on the Apple II. Resume Transfer is not necessary because you
have a direct, noise-free connection between two machines. Meanwhile, Binary
Down will automatically recognize and strip-off any Binary II header and save
the resulting file with the correct filetype.
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