From: "Michael W. Ryder" <_mwryder@...>
Date: 2007-08-22T10:14:57+09:00
Subject: Re: Writing to Binary Files

Bertram Scharpf wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> Am Mittwoch, 22. Aug 2007, 06:35:32 +0900 schrieb doug meyer:
>> I'm having some serious issues writing to a binary file. Can anyone
>> give me a hand?
>> And could I be having this problem because I'm trying to do this on a
>> Linux machine?
> 
> I just repeat what I wrote this afternoon
> (<http://www.ruby-forum.com/topic/122170#544613>).
> 
> The distinction between "text" and "binary" is the archetype
> misdesign in DOS and Windows. It means nothing more than
> that in "text" mode line ends are translated from "\n" to
> "\r\n" what is of no use but to disturb file positions and
> string lengths. The only purpose of this is to detain
> programmers from doing anything in a non-Microsoft way.
> Anywhere else you don't need to care.
> 
> Sorry for the flame but that's the way it is.
> 
> Bertram
> 
> 
So where do files like database or spreadsheet files fit?  They 
obviously aren't text files, sending one to a printer will only produce 
garbage or a locked printer. Binary is a useful distinction to denote 
that a file is not "ready" for use without intervention, either through 
the OS or a program.  Whether Unix treats text differently than anyone 
else is not of concern as a simple test will show if a file is a Unix 
"text" file or other text file.  I have zero problems moving text files 
back and forth between Unix and Windows programs.  I can even move my 
"binary" database files between the two without any problems.  I can't 
use either of them to read the database files without a program but that 
is why it is treated differently.