I have a data file (format .rs) a program uses this data file to pull of data, however when I try and open the .rs file say in word, lots of crap, of if i hexedit it the same, unless i use the program i want to (basically just bitmaps and text) - now what i want to know is - how can i "get into this file" any ideas??

 

top

 

Unless the program manufacturer publishes the file format, or it's a well-agreed standard, you've got no chance. For example, Microsoft don't tell you the format of Word .DOC files, because if they did every Tom, Dick and Harry would make a Word-compatible word processor and sell it for 50 quid. (Sun do one, but it's rubbish for anything other than simple documents).

 

ChristianR,
.rs is listed as an Amiga Resource file acoording to several online file extension lookups. But of course, it could be something different, just had it's extension changed. Best bet is to take a look at the first few characters in the file, this usually gives it away what it is.

Carl,
Word binary file format *is* published and anyone can write a word processor that produces a Word doc. See the MSDN Library (or higher) for the file format.

Cheers

Ian

 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by IWatkins:
<B>
Word binary file format *is* published and anyone can write a word processor that produces a Word doc. [/quote]

Hmm... so why is StarOffice's file conversion so crap then? Try a document with headers, footers, diagrams and tables and it's all over the place.

 

With Star Office you get what you pay for.

 

That's true, but WordPerfect's MSWord file conversion used to be sh1te too, and that cost a few hundred quid.