[mod.computers.vax] Encoding non-text files for mailing.

TWADE@CSVAX.UCD.HEA.IRL.UUCP (02/10/87)

I see that someone is
looking for a program which would encode non-text files into a form which
could be sent through a mailer and decoded at the other end. We have such
a program here (we use it for sending files through PSI-MAIL). Here is
a description:
 
This facility will encode a file into an equivalent text file which can
then be MAILED through a network. A second program can then reproduce the
original file. The features are as follows:
 
1.    Any fixed or variable length sequential or relative file can be
    encoded (this includes BACKUP files, image files, object files,
    data files etc). The only type which is not supported is indexed
    files.
 
2.    The encoded form contains header information which allows the
    decoder program to reproduce the RMS structure exactly (also
    contains the original file name).
 
3.    The characters in the encoded form are the printable subset of
    ASCII. An option (/CODE=BAUDOT) can further restrict the character
    set to those ASCII characters which have equivalent BAUDOT values,
    allowing files to be transmitted through the telex network (if your
    VAX has telex software and a hardware interface). The code used
    is also stored in the header so the receiver decoder automatically
    selects the correct code. The default is /CODE=ASCII.
 
4.    The decoder program ignores all data before the flag line (consisting
    of '+' characters). Thus preceding mail headers do not have to be
    removed by an editor prior to decoding.
 
5.    Data compression is used, which means that for some files (e.g.
    many BACKUP files) the coded form occupies less space).
 
6.    The program uses the CLD interface for invocation and is written in
    VAX FORTRAN.
 
If anyone wants a copy, let me know.
 
Tom Wade, Systems Programmer, Dept Computer Science, UCD Belfield
      Dublin 4, Ireland.
 
twade@csvax.ucd.hea.irl
twade@csvax.ucd.irl        (Ean)
twade%csvax.ucd.hea.irl@irlearn.bitnet
twade%csvax.ucd.hea.irl@euroies.uucp
PSI%27243154000721::TWADE    (PSI-Mail)
91196 UCD EI            (Telex - begin with "TO: WADE")
+353-1-692144 Ext 2472        (Voice)