File Extension

BIN File Format

Binary file

BIN is a binary file format for which there are many uses and consequently programs that use them. Examples include generic binary files that store data in a binary format for many programs and games and Macintosh binary files used to transfer files over the Internet containing the finder header, data fork, and resource fork intact from the hierarchical file system (HFS).

Disk images are typically binary files, though they often use other file extensions. BIN files used for both disk images and as video files may require a companion .CUE file which describes what is saved in the .BIN They may also be Unix executable files that can be run on a Unix operating system, such as Linux or FreeBSD.

MIME type: application/x-binary, application/bin, application/binary, application/x-msdownload, application/octet-stream

 

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This was last updated in July 2010
Editorial Director Margaret Rouse
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Definitions

  • Uuencode (Uuencode/Uudecode)

    - Uuencode (also called Uuencode/Uudecode) is a popular utility for encoding and decoding files exchanged between users or systems in a network.

  • encoding and decoding

    - Encoding is the process of putting a sequence of characters (letters, numbers, punctuation, and certain symbols) into a specialized digital format for efficient transmission or transfer. Decoding i...

  • BinHex

    - BinHex is a utility for converting (encoding) Macintosh files into files that will travel well on networks either as files or e-mail attachments.

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