What is a BIN file
BIN (Binary files) is a non-text computer file. Data is encoded with binary code instead of text for storage and processing. Some of the coding can be translated or interpreted into text while the rest is for formatting and other useful functional features. Older Microsoft Word documents work in binary. The BIN file extension often refers to CD disk images. Binary data can be translated into plain text to prevent the code from trying to execute functions. This allows the sending, receiving, and downloading of BIN files. Hex editors are very useful for viewing of binary sequences but text editors can be used as well.
Files with the BIN extension usually look like junk when viewed directly with a text editor. Without knowledge of which portion of ASCII code is crucial for the file or which program to open the file in, the files are not very useful. These files often contain executable code and data programs that are required by various OS’s for the starting of a program. Binary digits (bits) are grouped in 8-character groups and used to interpret something other than numbers and letters by different programs. This allows images, text, sound, and other files (compressed) to be found in a BIN file. Headers can contain metadata used by the program to interpret data and identify format.
Here's a small, but not exhaustive list of programs that can open BIN documents:
- AVG
- CDRWin
- Linux
