There is one option common to all file transfer methods and protocols: ASCII or binary mode. Each has a specific use. Using the wrong mode can corrupt files during transfer, even when everything else is correct.

ASCII file transfer mode is intended for plain text only. Files transferred in ASCII will have carriage returns and line feeds adjusted for the receiving system. If both systems are running the same OS, such as two Linux systems communicating, nothing special happens. But DOS and UNIX, for example, handle text files in slightly different ways. ASCII mode makes the necessary changes automatically.

Binary mode, on the other hand, makes no changes at all. The file is transferred in a raw data format. This makes binary the required mode for image files, programs and the like. If you have any doubt, use binary mode for the file transfer.

There’s an irreverent but in-depth discussion of the two available at htmlgoodies.com. It’s specific to FTP, but the advice about ASCII and binary modes applies across the board.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 13th, 2007 at 2:23 pm and is filed under File Transfer, General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.