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// BinHex 4.0 - Classic Macintosh binary file encoding
Mac Classic
Standard encoding format for classic Macintosh systems and software.
Resource Fork
Preserves Mac resource forks and file metadata in encoded format.
7-bit Clean
ASCII-only encoding safe for email and bulletin board systems.
>> technical info
How BinHex Works:
BinHex 4.0 encodes binary data using 64 ASCII characters, similar to Base64 but with a different alphabet. It includes CRC checksums and preserves Mac file metadata.
Example:
"Hello" → :&9&QE'0S:
Why Use BinHex:
- >Classic Mac compatibility
- >Preserves resource forks
- >File metadata encoding
- >Vintage computing
- >Historical file formats
>> frequently asked questions
What is BinHex encoding?
BinHex 4.0 is a binary-to-text encoding format created for classic Macintosh computers to safely transfer files through text-only systems while preserving Mac-specific metadata.
Why was BinHex created?
BinHex was developed to allow Mac files with resource forks to be transmitted through email and bulletin board systems that only supported 7-bit ASCII text.
Is BinHex still used today?
While modern systems rarely use BinHex, it's still relevant for vintage Mac enthusiasts, archival purposes, and when working with classic Mac software and files.
How does BinHex differ from Base64?
BinHex uses a different 64-character alphabet, includes CRC checksums, and can encode Mac-specific file metadata like resource forks and file types.