Download/HomepageFiles, files everywhere ... and just when you think you're pretty
conversant with all the common extensions, you find a seemingly familiar extension won't
open up in your favorite app. What gives?
WhatFormat is a handy little tool that determines the actual file format for each given
file extension you test on it. It's like this: Sometimes the same extension is used for
different formats -- one extension can be used for different versions, or often a file is
simply assigned an erroneous extension. The author explains best : "The first bytes
of a file may contain information of what format is used. "
WhatFormat is a file analyzer that looks at these bytes for signatures (magic numbers) and
makes a guess of the format this file may have. Neat, huh?
Why do we care? Well, what if a friend sends you a file over the Internet and you don't
know what it is? WhatFormat may tell something about this file, by looking at those first
"magic numbers" combined with the file extension -- then it makes a pretty good
guess, even when it's something fairly arcane. There are many other scenarios. WhatFormat
also check to see if the extension matches the header information -- if not, that's why
your favorite app won't open it, but maybe you can rename the file with one of the other
extension WhatFormat suggests.
As this program evolves, the author is adding more features -- the next version (1.4, in
the works) will actually suggest some possible viewers or converters you can use to read
the file in question.
Even though this program is a work in progress, it's darned helpful exactly how it is --
and it keeps improving as new versions roll out. It's simple and fun to use. Definitely
check it out. The author's web site is also chock-full of details on this program, plus
related information.
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