Binary files are the ones where data is stored on the disk in the same way as it is represented in the computer memory. The binary data stored in the files cannot be read using any of the text editors.

For example; the data 2345 takes 2 bytes of memory. The number of characters written/read is the same as the number of characters written/read on the external device. Therefore, there is a one-to-one relationship between the characters written/read into the file and those stored on external devices.

The binary files organize data into blocks containing contiguous bytes of information.

In binary file, the opening mode of a text file is appended by a character b i.e.

“r” is replaced by “rb”
“w” is replaced by “wb”
“a” is replaced by “ab”
“r+” is replaced by “r+b”
“w+” is replaced by “r+b”
“a+” is replaced by “a+b”

Differences between text files and binary files

S.N.	Text File	Binary File
1.	They are in human-readable formats.	They are not in a human-readable format.
2.	Bits represent a character.	Bits represent custom data.
3.	Less prone to get corrupt as changes reflect as soon as the file is opened and can easily be undone.	Can easily get corrupted, even a single bit change may corrupt the file.
4.	Widely used file format and can be opened using any simple text editor.	Developed especially for an application and may not be understood by other applications.
5.	Mostly .txt and .rtf are used as extensions to text files.	It can have any application-defined extension.

Binary Files

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Unit I: Problem Solving with Computer

Unit II: Elements of C

Unit III: Input and Output

Unit IV: Operators and Expression

Unit V: Control Statement

Unit VI: Arrays

Unit VII: Functions

Unit VIII: Structure and Union

Unit IX: Pointers

Unit X: File Handling in C

Unit XI: Introduction to Graphics

Question Bank

Binary Files

Binary Files

Differences between text files and binary files