OS/2 PACK archive

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m (Jsummers moved page OS/2 installation archive to OS/2 PACK archive: Sometimes called "PACK" format by OS/2 users. Best I can do for a name.)
(Software)
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|extensions={{ext|??_}}, {{ext|??@}}, others
 
|extensions={{ext|??_}}, {{ext|??@}}, others
 
}}
 
}}
'''OS/2 installation archive''' (official name unknown) is a family of compressed archive formats used for software installation on OS/2.
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'''OS/2 PACK archive''' is a compressed archive format used for software installation on OS/2.
  
This article covers the format with signature bytes <code>a5 96 fe ff</code>. For signature <code>a5 96 fd ff</code>, see [[FTCOMP]].
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This article covers the format with signature bytes <code>a5 96 fe ff</code>. For signature <code>a5 96 fd ff</code>, see [[OS/2 PACK2 archive]].
  
Apparently, OS/2 provides an UNPACK.EXE utility that can decompress the files.
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PACK format is generally associated with the OS/2 PACK.EXE and UNPACK.EXE utilities.
  
''[This article needs more research, or help from an expert.]''
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== Format details ==
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=== Compression scheme ===
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The compression is a kind of [[LZW]] with 12-bit codes. Code 0 marks the end of data; codes 1-256 are literals; 257-4095 are dynamic. If the code table is full, the least-recently-used leaf code is reused.
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This is the same compression used by [[LoadDskF/SaveDskF]].
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=== Other format details ===
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The format apparently supports OS/2 extended attributes, compressed independently following the compressed file data.
  
 
== Identification ==
 
== Identification ==
 
Files start with bytes {{magic|a5 96 fe ff}}.
 
Files start with bytes {{magic|a5 96 fe ff}}.
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== Software ==
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OS/2 software:
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* UNPACK.EXE (Included with OS/2; also found in other packages.)
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** [https://archive.org/details/os2sharewarebbs OS/2 Shareware BBS Full Collection] → 33-VDrivers.zip → cirrus1.zip → UNPACK.EXE
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* [https://archive.org/details/os2sharewarebbs OS/2 Shareware BBS Full Collection] → 10-Tools.zip → warptlk3.zip → TOOLKIT/BIN/PACK.EXE
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* {{Deark}}
  
 
== Sample files ==
 
== Sample files ==

Revision as of 13:15, 25 April 2024

File Format
Name OS/2 PACK archive
Ontology
Extension(s) .??_, .??@, others

OS/2 PACK archive is a compressed archive format used for software installation on OS/2.

This article covers the format with signature bytes a5 96 fe ff. For signature a5 96 fd ff, see OS/2 PACK2 archive.

PACK format is generally associated with the OS/2 PACK.EXE and UNPACK.EXE utilities.

Contents

Format details

Compression scheme

The compression is a kind of LZW with 12-bit codes. Code 0 marks the end of data; codes 1-256 are literals; 257-4095 are dynamic. If the code table is full, the least-recently-used leaf code is reused.

This is the same compression used by LoadDskF/SaveDskF.

Other format details

The format apparently supports OS/2 extended attributes, compressed independently following the compressed file data.

Identification

Files start with bytes a5 96 fe ff.

Software

OS/2 software:

Sample files

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Namespaces

Variants
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