FileX

FileX
Version 1.0

This application helps you to identify the type of a file. It relays on the Unix command-line utility file.
It is useful if you have a file without extension or other file type identifiers. Fore example some e-mail attachments.
The application also displays the MIME type.

Requirements

Mac OS X 10.3 or greater.
This utility should work on Mac OS X 10.2 too, but no test has been done.

Installation

Copy the FileX application wherever you want on your hard drive.
(Recommended places is the Applications/Utilities folder)

Uninstallation

Move to trash the FileX application.

Usage

To obtain the needed informations you just have to indicate the file to analyse. There are 3 way to do it:

Drag the suspect file onto FileX icon.
Drag the suspect file onto the FileX window.
Use the "Open…" command in the "File" menu.

However the results will appear in the FileX window. Naturally you can copy or drag the displayed informations.

Notes

FileX uses the command-line utility file to produce its results. This utility uses complex algorithms to analyse a file. One of these algorithms is based on the informations of a file called magicfile. For more informations about file look at its man page.

The accuracy of FileX results relays on the accuracy of the file utility. Unlucky the informations about new formats are not accurate in the version included in Mac OS X. @@@ only the data fork of the file is analysed.

If multiple files are dropped onto FileX icon or window, only the informations about the first will be displayed.

If you drop an alias or a soft-link onto FileX icon, will be displayed the information about the original file. If you drop the alias onto the window, will be displyed the information about the alias.
If you know how to solve this issue, please contact me.

The application has been written in AppleScript Studio. It's source code can be freely downloaded.

The icon has been designed by Sauro Spagnol.

Any comment or donation will be appreciated.

Copyright

Written by Paolo Portaluri
© 2005 Paolo Portaluri

License

This application may be freely used, distributed and modified.

This software is provided "as is" and any expressed or implied warranties including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose are disclaimed. In no event shall the author be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, exemplary, or consequential damages (including, but not limited to, procurement of substitute goods or services; loss of use, data, or profits; or business interruption) however caused and on any theory of liability, whether in contract, strict liability, or tort (including negligence or otherwise) arising in any way out of the use of this software, even if advised of the possibility of such damage.

Redistribution by physical and not media bundled to magazines or other editorial publications, is permitted provided that the author receives a free copy of this publication.

Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are permitted provided that it must retain the copyright and license notice.

Version History

1.0 (15-05-2005): First public release.

Download

FileX is available in the file FileX1.0.dmg (179 KB).

FileX source code is available in the file FileX1.0-src.zip (62 KB).

For more informations it is possible to contact the author Paolo Portaluri.