BIN2DATA

Bin2Data and it's companion library is written in QB64-PE, that allows for the conversion of binary files to Base64 encoded DATA statements. This library not only encodes binary data into Base64, but also allows for the decoding of Base64 encoded data back into its binary form. The data is optionally compressed using Google's Zopfli compression library if it sees any goodness. This means that files that are already compressed, may not go through one more compression and decompression step. The compressed data is compatible with QB64-PE's _DEFLATE$.

With this library, you can easily store binary data within your QB64 programs, making it easier to distribute and maintain the files required for your program to run. The library provides a simple API that you can use to perform encoding and decoding operations with just a few lines of code.

FEATURES

• Encode binary files to Base64 encoded DATA or CONST statements.
• Export compressed binary files to C arrays or raw file dumps.
• Decode Base64 encoded data back into binary form.
• Simple API that makes it easy to use.
• Easy sharing of code and data in forums.

USAGE

• Clone the repository to a directory of your choice
• Open Terminal and change to the directory using an appropriate OS command
• Run git submodule update --init --recursive to initialize, fetch and checkout git submodules
• Open Bin2Data.bas in the QB64-PE IDE and press F5 to compile and run
• To use the library in your project add the Toolbox64 repository as a Git submodule
• Then, simply include the library files in your QB64 program and call the relevant functions to perform encoding and decoding operations.

Assuming the a file has been encoded using Bin2Data, here's an example of how you can use the library to to decode Base64 encoded data.

' In this example we used Bin2Data on my_music.mp3 and it created a file called my_music.mp3.bi
' It assumes that you have cloned the Toolbox64 repo in the include subdirectory under your project directory

' First include the Base64 header file
'$INCLUDE:'include/Base64.bi'

' This label is from my_music_mp3.bi
RESTORE data_my_music_mp3_8192

' This loads the encoded & compressed data from the DATA statements after the label above
DIM buffer AS STRING: buffer = Base64_LoadResourceData 

' Now do something with buffer
...

' Include the my_music.mp3.bi before your FUNCTIONs and SUBs
'$INCLUDE:'my_music_mp3.bi'

' OR

' Place contents of my_music_mp3.bi before your FUNCTIONs and SUBs
data_my_music_mp3_8192:
DATA 8192,9877,0
DATA ...

' Finally, don't forget to include the Base64 module file
'$INCLUDE:'include/Base64.bas'

API

FUNCTION Base64_Encode$ (s AS STRING)
FUNCTION Base64_Decode$ (s AS STRING)
FUNCTION Base64_LoadResourceString$ (src AS STRING, ogSize AS _UNSIGNED LONG, isComp AS _BYTE)
FUNCTION Base64_LoadResourceData$

NOTES

• This requires the latest version of QB64-PE
• When you clone a repository that contains submodules, the submodules are not automatically cloned by default
• You will need to use the git submodule update --init --recursive to initialize, fetch and checkout git submodules
• Get Base64.bas lite from here

ASSETS

• Icon by Umut Pulat