HQX compressed files are archives available only in Mac OS. It is a BinHex (Binary to Hexadecimal) file that is used to compress files or hold various file data, thus being called a compressed file or an archive. It is used to store binary versions of images, documents, videos, and certain multimedia files. It involves the conversion of 8 bits of binary data into 7-bit textual information. It holds a larger space and is generally larger than other archives.
Features
To check whether a file is of hqx format or not, the file usually consists of data, say image, and holds the extension img.jpeg.hqx. Another way to check for hqx files is by using a text editor. The first line of an hqx file is: This file must be converted with BinHex 4.0. They are archives used for Mac in the same way that RAR, & ZIP files are used. They have a size larger than the original files they contain, but an advantage of using hqx files is that they can be used for different means of transfer over emails. In addition to this, despite being bigger the data inside the hqx file is not subjected to corruption, and no virus can catch hold of the file. It has one step extra level of security & maintenance.
How to create a hqx file
hqx files can be created by the use of Python scripts which altogether use the compiler or assembler to create a zip file storing different forms of data. They require the usage of scripts that turn a binary file into a hexadecimal file. Moreover, being outdated it is not much in use but there might be a file that one would want to convert it into usable form. For that hqx file can be converted by the below mentioned ways.
Converting a hqx file into different file formats
1. Choose a .hqx file containing any image or a pdf and open it in any browser. On left most side click Save as and choose the specific file format in which you want to convert the image.
2. For converting hqx into PNG, open the hqx file using Win Zip for Windows, or Apple Archive Utility for Mac to extract the image in whatsoever form it is present, say Jpeg, jpg etc. After extraction use an online editor to convert the given file into whichever file you want.
Applications
- Maintaining data : hqx files help in maintaining the file’s integrity when sent through whichever means, say email, data transfer etc. It contains a binary file, or metadata that can be easily converted to plain text without the loss of data.
- Error Handling : Generally hqx files are much larger than their original files. Irrespective of this fact, they do no face security concerns and have a good level of check on viruses and other harmful data that may creep during conversion.
- ASCII System : Many softwares today do not support the handling of binary transfer data. Here, the ASCII Characters come into use. They handle the binary data and convert it into ASCII Characters, as for those softwares it might create disruption, and the binary data could be hampered.
- Conversion & Transfer : They help in extraction and conversion of data from one form to another, and with the benefit of converting the ZIP Format, we can extract many multimedia files present in the ZIP File and use them to convert it into other forms.
Limitations
- Inefficient : As stated, hqx files are extensively larger and difficult to handle. They are inefficient as they can be used only over emails and not other forms of transfer due to such large & extensive data.
- Outdated technology : Not much in use, hqx file formats lately have been reduced for usage in file transfer due to old compression and file transfer methods. Moreover, we have now got better alternatives such as ZIP & RAR Files which can be used for the same purposes.
- Limited Usage : hqx file formats can only be used on Mac OS and are not applicable for Windows. For windows, ZIP & RAR File extensions are used.
- Limited error handling : Although hqx files do not face much of the security concerns, due to their large sizes and outdated model it is difficult to handle errors or viruses if any creep into the file. It does not have a high level of security and is encrypted to a very minimal level.
Conclusion
hqx files are good for usage over email and transfer over systems that do not use binary data. They help in conversion to ASCII Characters so as in to provide textual information. They are specifically used only on Mac Operating System, thus, having a limited use and are not considered for transfer as they have extremely large files. Put into much use before, now there have been better alternatives such as WinZip files, RAR files etc which provide solutions for the problems faced by hqx files.