Hex Editing for Archivists (Part 1) Basic Introduction

This tutorial introduces hex editing, particularly for archivists and beginners in data forensics. It explains the hexadecimal numeral system, which is base 16, contrasting it with the decimal system (base 10). Hexadecimal is useful for digital data representation because one byte consists of 8 bits, allowing values from 0 to 255 to be expressed compactly as two hexadecimal digits. The tutorial also covers the basics of hex editors, which are specialized tools for viewing and editing binary files without misinterpreting the data as text. A typical hex editor displays data in three columns: the data position (offset), the binary data in hex, and the binary data in character encoding. The tutorial emphasizes the importance of understanding how to read and interpret binary data, including concepts like signed and unsigned numbers, word size, and endianess. It highlights that different file formats may have specific data representations, and understanding these can aid in digital preservation and forensic analysis.

- Hexadecimal (base 16) is essential for compactly representing binary data.

- Hex editors allow users to view and edit binary files without misinterpretation.

- Understanding data representation, including signed and unsigned numbers, is crucial for data analysis.

- Different file formats may have unique specifications for data interpretation.

- Knowledge of word size and endianess is important for accurate data handling.