A hexadecimal editor (hex editor) is a 'word processor' for binary files - files that you cannot normally open in traditional text editors, like Wordpad, Notepad, etc. These editors are designed for text, and apply formatting like bold, italic and underline. Binary files do not contain such formatting, but instead contain characters and code that text editors cannot display.
For most users, hex editors are unnecessary. Although they have a purpose, and work very well, for the most part, normal users will not need to delve that deep 'under the hood' of their computer.
Sometimes, you'll download a file (eg a picture) and Windows will report that the file is invalid. If you opened this in Notepad, chances are it won't display the actual contents of the file, but a representation of it - as if its been converted slightly. If you could see this file, you may notice the header is corrupted (an extra character) or not enough data. A hex editor would open this file 'as is' and give you the file in 100% detail - no conversion, no translation. If you saved the file, it would be identical to the original.
Hex editors allow you to add data into a file, or remove sections of data. They also allow you to view information you wouldn't normally see, for example, save the progress of your favourite game, open the saved game data and 'possibly' you could change values, eg, score, number of lives, etc.
Its a useful tool to have in the armoury, but like the soda maker in the cupboard, it won't get used very often.

Chris Locke  –  12 years ago  –  Βρήκατε αυτό το σχόλιο χρήσιμο? ναι | όχι (+154)

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Unlike #1 above, there are many more uses for Hex Editors. I have tried pretty much every free one and several you pay for - and none have been near as good as today's giveaway. I completely agree with #2 and 3. Beyond just the hex editing - there is a regular plethora of tools and options that are completely configurable and you can design your own layout or select from a number of different included styles. A definitive keeper!!! Thanks GAOTD and HHD Software. And, special thanks to HHD by not offering the cheapest thing on your rack to lure us in toward buying upgrades - but, instead, giving us the top of the line right from the get-go! That shows Class!

Greg  –  12 years ago  –  Βρήκατε αυτό το σχόλιο χρήσιμο? ναι | όχι (+96)

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Pretty good app today which does what it claims without any hassle.
It can be used to view and safely manipulate binary files such as EXE & DLL with unlimited undo/redo actions and/or to view hidden characters in files.

However I think that programs like this are indispensable only for programmers, techies and PC gamers junkies only: so I've been amazed to see its current pretty high USER RATING, compared to other similar offers given away here previously.

BEST FREEWARE ALTERNATIVE:

http://mh-nexus.de/en/hxd/
http://sourceforge.net/projects/hexplorer/
http://www.chmaas.handshake.de/delphi/freeware/xvi32/xvi32.htm
http://www.wxhexeditor.org/home.php
http://www.hexedit.com/
http://www.flexsoft.cc/flexedit.htm
http://diffuse.sourceforge.net/

Enjoy!!

Giovanni  –  12 years ago  –  Βρήκατε αυτό το σχόλιο χρήσιμο? ναι | όχι (+83)

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This is a nice HEX editor!


best free alternative
-HxD fully loaded with all features!

Garrett Cornwell  –  12 years ago  –  Βρήκατε αυτό το σχόλιο χρήσιμο? ναι | όχι (+36)

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Very good product. I highly recommend it especially if you edit BIG files. It helped me to fix very big 50+GB file and removed bad line endings easily.

Alex Bean  –  12 years ago  –  Βρήκατε αυτό το σχόλιο χρήσιμο? ναι | όχι (+36)

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