Question about custom data file format, again))

[manfred]

Hello.
I'm making program (Encyclopedia of cinema), and have this file structure:

Main Folder>
____-Movie Name 1
__________-info.ini (data file)
__________-screenshot.jpg
__________-etc...
____-Movie Name 2
____-etc

All working correctly, but all my data in public format..and thousands of files :grin:
What can you advise me, what extension i must use ?. i want something like this:
I want make database file (ex. DATA.dat), then in this file opened movie name folder and loads info from INI file and pictures in frontend. Maybe with temporary file storaging. Most suitable for me something like ZIP Object.
Maybe Binary Object ? But binary data (bytes, memory adresses etc) it's very difficult for me.

zip Object don't work correctly (glitches)and Directory Packer pack only 1 directory (no subdirectories support), and without function "Unpack 1 required file from packed file with lot of files"


Thanks in advance

[Dynasoft]

If you want a database, use a database object. e.g. SQLite object.

[uprize]

I have a similar problem that I never really looked into too much where I wanted to combine multiple files of different types into 1 file and then read data from it at runtime. The Binary Object can do this but to what extent and how much work I am yet to find out.

[RickyRombo]

This is an interesting dilemma that I would like to see answered as well, although maybe I already know a solution(?)...

I think maybe you could Zip the file contents into a zip file, and then change the extension via File Object to something else, and when you open, change it back and unzip?

[manfred]

Thank you for the replies. SQL object not for me..because, i think it's for prof developers (not for me anyway) and database formats not support custom file types storaging. I tried use sql object, but my attempts failed and the example does not help me.Too difficult.
Zip object don't work for me correctly. I don't know why, he don't pack/unpack files from zip archive, or extension creating file with 0 bytes.
I think, I found a solution. but it's noob solution :grin:
Creating BIN files from MOVIE NAME directories (with Directory packer extension), and unpacking to windir/tempdirectory and loading to frontend.

The data will be packed and protected from public and the number of files will be reduced.
example:

Main Folder>
____-Movie Name 1.bin
____-Movie Name 2.bin
____-etc...

But I still dream about a one custom data file, instead thousands files, that burn my hard drive to ash

[Stephen]

I have used the zip object before, and if you need an example on how to zip and unzip files correctly, let me know.

stephen1980