MIME64 Encoder/Decoder WHAT MIME64 IS: MIME64 is an encoding described in RFC1341 as MIME base64. Its purpose is to encode binary files into ASCII so that they may be passed through e-mail gates. In this regard, MIME64 is similar to UUENCODE. Although most binaries these days are transmitted using UUENCODE, I have seen a few using MIME64, and I have had requests from friends that I decode MIME64 files that have fallen into their hands. As long as some MIME64 continues to exist, a package such as this one is useful to have. WHAT THIS PACKAGE CONTAINS: This package contains both executable and ANSI-C source code for a MIME64 encoder/decoder (MIME.EXE and MIME.C respecively). It also contains this README file, and a MIME64 encoded file called MIME.64. The latter will decode to MIME.ZIP if you issue the DOS command line: MIME64 MIME.64 MIME.ZIP If you unzip the zip file, you will get an essay by Mark Grand about MIME. HOW TO USE THIS PACKAGE: To decode a MIME64 file you may type: MIME64 infile outfile If you leave out the outfile specification, the output file will overwrite the input file unless there is a filename specifier in the header of the input file. If there is a file name specifier in infile, and no outfile is given, the output file will be according to the specifier. An example of a filename specifier in the header of a base64 MIME file is: Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; name=dork.zip The filename specified here is dork.zip. If the input file has a content transfer encoding of any but base64, that input will be ignored. For example, if it had a header line of: Content-transfer-encoding: unusualformat instead of: Content-transfer-encoding: base64 there would be no output. If no content-transfer-encoding line is given in the file, MIME64 assumes the file to be base64 and decodes it accordingly. There can be several files encoded into an input file. If subsequent encoded files are found in the input file, they will be decoded according to the name specified in a content-type line. To encode a file into MIME64 format, type: MIME64 infile outfile -e If you leave off the outfile specification, the output will overwrite the input. MIME64 does not permit you to encode more than one file at a time. If you wish to combine several base64 files, you will have to do so with a text editor. STATUS OF THIS PACKAGE: This package is freeware. As author, I claim no copyright. If you change the source code and intend to propogate that change to other users, please include a comment to that effect at the top that states: The date of the change, the nature of the change, and who made the change. As a courtesy, I also ask that you retain the comment that acknowledges me as the original author. SEND QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS PACKAGE TO: hahn@lds.loral.com Karl Hahn