distinguishing executable files
Hi all,
How can i identify a file-type ?
well actually ..i need 2 identify executable files amongst other files.
extension is not an option..since it can vary in different os.
is dere a file header which indicates the type of file ...
plsssss reply.. dis is perplexing nd m not gettin any answers..
On Windows, use: GetBinaryType()
On UNIX check the man pages to see if there's anything similar, or open some executables in a hex editor and see if there's anything common (like in Windows most of the executables I looked at start with "MZ")...
"I am probably the laziest programmer on the planet, a fact with which anyone who has ever seen my code will agree." - esbo, 11/15/2008
"the internet is a scary place to be thats why i dont use it much." - billet, 03/17/2010
hi cp..
thanx 4 d help..
one doubt.. GetBinaryType is from the Win32 ApI.. ??
will it work in VC++ or MFC or standard C programs..
There isn't a generic way to detect if something is an executable file, as that does vary from OS to OS. The only possible action is to read parts of the file to determine what type it is. However, that is not NECESSARILY enough, as for example .com files are just identified by extension - the content is a plain binary file loaded into memory and then executed from the loaded address (0x100, where address 0..0xFF contains information from the OS, such as the command line). There is absolutely no way to tell what this file is, other than it's extension.
--
Mats
Compilers can produce warnings - make the compiler programmers happy: Use them!
Please don't PM me for help - and no, I don't do help over instant messengers.
ALL functions on Windows (stdlib, MFC or anything else) that do more than move things around in memory must use the Windows API. There's just no other way for them to do anything useful.Originally Posted by smooth
If you look at the implementation of malloc(), printf(), fopen()... you will see calls to Win32 API functions.
"I am probably the laziest programmer on the planet, a fact with which anyone who has ever seen my code will agree." - esbo, 11/15/2008
"the internet is a scary place to be thats why i dont use it much." - billet, 03/17/2010
hi all..
m back wid anoder one..
i searched and found dat dere is a file header in every file which contains file info ...
does dat header contain the file-type or some bytes which indicate if its an executable..
i think dis will b interesting ...
help me !!
Yes usually, but unless you're an expert in those file formats, you'd probably just be guessing. One of my previous companies tried to create a file type identification program with partial success.
"I am probably the laziest programmer on the planet, a fact with which anyone who has ever seen my code will agree." - esbo, 11/15/2008
"the internet is a scary place to be thats why i dont use it much." - billet, 03/17/2010
Is there a reason you type like that? I'm sure no-one here will be offended at proper punctuation and spelling...
QuantumPete
"No-one else has reported this problem, you're either crazy or a liar" - Dogbert Technical Support
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Yeah, I'm thinking of changing my signature to a link to www.dictionary.com
"I am probably the laziest programmer on the planet, a fact with which anyone who has ever seen my code will agree." - esbo, 11/15/2008
"the internet is a scary place to be thats why i dont use it much." - billet, 03/17/2010
