why is it .zip and not .exe when dload

  • Thread starter Thread starter fredcromer
  • Start date Start date
F

fredcromer

any answers would b well appreciated, fred from the little
bramble..(eng)..cheers...i was also looking for an old 'manic miner' or 'jet
set willy' game...free dload????
All the best people
 
I feel like a dumb fish, but I'll bite...

exe is an exec file... it is the file that starts a process
such as loading a program into the registry and correct
folders/files on the HD.

zip files are compressed so that they can be downloaded or
stored as one unit... several files&folders are compressed
into one zip file... since they are compressed they are
smaller thus quicker to download. Zip files need to be
unzipped using one of many programs (e.g. WinZip).

Your exe file is hidden in the zip file due to compression.
Once unzipped (i.e. decompressed) you should be able to find
an exe file depending on the original content of the zipped
files and folders.

FYI, there are many different compression types. Some retain
all the data once expanded e.g. Zipped files. Others
eliminate 'uneeded' data such as MP3. Zip files are some of
the bulkiest of compressed files. Tarballs, commonly known
as tar files are very compressed compared to zip, retain all
the data, and really haven't gained the respect in the
Windows world (most Linux users would never use a zip
because of how bloated they are) ...

br1ght

~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~

| any answers would b well appreciated, fred from the little
| bramble..(eng)..cheers...i was also looking for an old
'manic miner' or 'jet
| set willy' game...free dload????
| All the best people
|
|
| ---
| Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
| Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
| Version: 6.0.648 / Virus Database: 415 - Release Date:
31/03/2004
|
|
 
I feel like a dumb fish, but I'll bite...

exe is an exec file... it is the file that starts a process
such as loading a program into the registry and correct
folders/files on the HD.

zip files are compressed so that they can be downloaded or
stored as one unit... several files&folders are compressed
into one zip file... since they are compressed they are
smaller thus quicker to download. Zip files need to be
unzipped using one of many programs (e.g. WinZip).

Your exe file is hidden in the zip file due to compression.
Once unzipped (i.e. decompressed) you should be able to find
an exe file depending on the original content of the zipped
files and folders.
Click to expand...

In addition you can have "a Self-Extracting Zip File"
( quoted from my Winzip Help file)

A self-extracting Zip file is an executable program file (.EXE file)
that includes a Zip file and software to extract or “unzip” the
contents of the Zip file. Users can run (execute) a self-extracting
Zip file just as they run any other program.

When a self-extracting Zip file created by WinZip Self-Extractor
Personal Edition is run, a dialog box is displayed. This dialog box
makes it easy for the user to change the “Unzip to” folder before
starting the extract or “unzip” operation.

What are the advantages to Self-Extracting Zip Files?
Users can extract or “unzip” files from a self-extracting Zip file
without running a separate unzip utility or knowing how to use an
unzip utility. Thus, self-extracting Zip files are particularly
suited for distribution of software to beginning users who are not
familiar with the concept of Zip file

Copyright © 1991-2001 by WinZip Computing, Inc.
All rights reserved.

HTH
 
Tarballs, commonly known
as tar files are very compressed compared to zip, retain all
the data, and really haven't gained the respect in the
Windows world (most Linux users would never use a zip
because of how bloated they are) ...
Click to expand...

tar files have no compression at all. They are really Tape ARchives that are
usually just written to a single file these days.

The GNU tar allows use of compression utils to single step the piping that
used to go on. This gives the more usual .tgz .tar.gz or .tar.bz etc that
are littered around the net.

It is nice though that the utils to handle them are bundled with the OS and
are command line.
 
"br1ght" <nitrox_frogy@[email protected]> wrote:
Click to expand...
I feel like a dumb fish, but I'll bite...
Click to expand...

Not many fish are born knowing all. We have to learn as we swim.
exe is an exec file... it is the file that starts a process
such as loading a program into the registry and correct
folders/files on the HD.
Click to expand...

There is also a sfx (self extracting zip) with the extension ".exe".

This is a .zip file converted to extract itself when executed. When
you execute it the file uncompresses (possibly with subdirectories)
wherever the user selects to extract it. Then, either the program can
be executed or there is a setup program that must be run to install
the program.

If the file is a SFX .exe file it is not necessary to have a
compression program. The decompression routine is written into the SFX
file.
FYI, there are many different compression types. Some retain
all the data once expanded e.g. Zipped files. Others
eliminate 'uneeded' data such as MP3. Zip files are some of
the bulkiest of compressed files. Tarballs, commonly known
as tar files are very compressed compared to zip, retain all
the data, and really haven't gained the respect in the
Windows world (most Linux users would never use a zip
because of how bloated they are) ...
Click to expand...

The SFX is primarily for convenience. As you said being a container
for a file structure is the major point. The compression isn't as
tight, but these files are extremely easy to deal with. With many new
people becoming acquainted with program files the old SFX has its
place.
 
Back
Top