ARC (file format)

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
ARC
File extension : .arc  .ark  .sue  .spk
MIME type : application / octet-stream
Developed by: System Enhancement Associates
Type: Data compression
Container for: any files


ARC is a file format for lossless data compression and archiving of files, developed by System Enhancement Associates . It was extremely popular in the early days of the BBS system. Both the file format and the program itself were called ARC. ARC made the combination of a packing program, such as sq back then , and a file archiver such as LBR , which had been common up until then, superfluous, since both functions were accommodated in one program. ARC can pack multiple files into just one file, unlike ZIPbut no directory trees. The ARC format was the subject of some discussions in the 1980s, which among other things also had a considerable influence on the development of the " open source " debate.

.arc is also often used as a file extension for various file formats that are used for compression or archiving. Freearc - a new archiver - also uses the file extension .arc. However, this is a completely newly developed file format.

The Internet Archive uses a file format also known as "ARC" in order to be able to efficiently save several resources from web pages in one file. However, this has nothing to do with the ARC format of the 1980s.

A special variant was used under the RISC OS operating system , which is also known as the “Spark Archive”. In addition to system-specific information, this variant also supports the option of saving directory structures.

Confrontation with Phil Katz

In the late 1980s, a dispute arose between SEA, the maker of ARC, and Phil Katz . SEA sued Katz for violating copyright and trademark laws. Katz had developed a software called PKARC compatible with ARC, which was superior to the original in terms of stability and speed. The testimony of a software expert in court caused a stir, claiming that PKARC often contained identical comments, even with identical misspellings. The matter went in favor of SEA, and Katz developed the ZIP format on it.

File extensions

  • .arc - was used on all systems.
  • .ark- Taken over by some users to make it clear that it was software for CP / M and not MS-DOS .
  • .sue - found here and there after some illegality.
  • .spk - was partially used on RISC OS.

See also

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ crawler.archive.org
  2. ^ Arc File Format - Authors: Mike Burner and Brewster Kahle
  3. ↑ man page for “nomarch”