Bin2Data is a command-line utility, written in QB64-PE, that converts binary files into source code, making it easy to embed resources directly into your executables. It can also optionally compress the data.

• Converts binary files into embeddable source code formats.
• Optionally compresses data using QB64-PE's _DEFLATE$ function.
• Supports multiple output formats:
  • QB64-PE DATA statements (.bi file).
  • QB64-PE CONST string (.bi file).
  • C-style header with a uint8_t array (.h file).
• Can also output a raw zlib/deflate compressed file (.deflate).
• Base64 encoding for QB64-PE DATA and CONST formats.
• Command-line interface with support for wildcards for batch processing.

1. Clone this repository: git clone --recurse-submodules https://github.com/a740g/Bin2Data.git
2. Change into the directory: cd Bin2Data
3. Open Bin2Data.bas in the QB64-PE IDE and press F5 to compile it.

You can run Bin2Data from your terminal. The help screen shows the available options.

Bin2Data: Converts binary files to QB64-PE data Copyright (c) 2025 Samuel Gomes https://github.com/a740g Usage: Bin2Data [-w characters_per_data_line] [-i compression_level] [-d] [-c] [-p] [-r] [-s] [-o] [filespec] -w: A number specifying the number of characters per data line. 8-4096 (default 112) -i: A number specifying the compression level. 1-10 -d: Generate DATA (.bas; default) -c: Generate a CONST (.bas; suitable for small files) -p: Generate a C array (.h) -r: Dump the raw compressed file (.deflate) -s: Disable compression and store the file instead -o: Overwrite output file if it exists Note: * Will create filespec.bi/.h/.deflate (based on the switches) * Can bulk convert files using wildcards * filespec can be a URL * If filespec.bi/.h/.deflate exists, then it will not be overwritten (unless -o is specified) * Character per line may be changed in CONST mode due to QB64's 500 line continuation limit * C output is barebones. Use sizeof to get the array size 

For QB64-PE, you need Base64.bas from the Toolbox64 library.

This is the default mode. It creates a .bi file containing a RESTORE label and DATA statements.

1. Generate the file: Bin2Data my_asset.png This will create my_asset.png.bi.

2. In your main QB64-PE program:

' Your program logic here ' ... ' Load the resource. ' The label name is generated based on the filename and size. ' You can find the exact label name in the generated .bi file. RESTORE data_my_asset_png_bi_12345 DIM buffer AS STRING buffer = Base64_LoadResourceData ' Now 'buffer' contains the binary data of my_asset.png ' ... ' At the end of your main code, before SUBs and FUNCTIONs: ' Include the generated data file '$INCLUDE:'my_asset.png.bi' ' At the bottom of you source code, after SUBs and FUNCTIONs: ' Include the library implementation (assuming you have cloned Toolbox64 in the include directory under your project directory) '$INCLUDE:'include/Base64.bas'

This mode is suitable for smaller files. It creates a .bi file containing CONST definitions.

1. Generate the file: Bin2Data -c my_icon.ico This will create my_icon.ico.bi.

2. In your main QB64-PE program:

' Include the generated constants file '$INCLUDE:'my_icon.ico.bi' ' Your program logic here ' ... ' Load the resource using the generated CONSTs. ' The CONST names are based on the filename and size. ' Check the generated .bi file for the exact names. DIM buffer AS STRING buffer = Base64_LoadResourceString(DATA_MY_ICON_ICO_BI_123, SIZE_MY_ICON_ICO_BI_123, COMP_MY_ICON_ICO_BI_123) ' Now 'buffer' contains the binary data of my_icon.ico ' ... ' At the bottom of you source code, after SUBs and FUNCTIONs: ' Include the library implementation (assuming you have cloned Toolbox64 in the include directory under your project directory) '$INCLUDE:'include/Base64.bas'

When using the -p switch, Bin2Data generates a C header file (.h).

1. Generate the file: Bin2Data -p my_data.bin This will create my_data.bin.h.

2. In your C/C++ code:

#include "my_data.bin.h" #include <stdio.h> #include <string.h> int main() { // The header defines symbols based on the filename and size, for example: // - const uint8_t my_data_bin_h_567[] = {...}; (the data array) // - #define SIZE_MY_DATA_BIN_H_567() 567 (original size) // - #define COMP_MY_DATA_BIN_H_567() 1 (is compressed) // - #define DATA_MY_DATA_BIN_H_567() ... (pointer to data) // Note: If the data is compressed (COMP_...() is 1), // you will need a zlib/deflate library to decompress it. size_t dataSize = sizeof(my_data_bin_h_567); printf("Original size: %d\n", SIZE_MY_DATA_BIN_H_567()); printf("Embedded size: %zu\n", dataSize); printf("Is compressed: %d\n", COMP_MY_DATA_BIN_H_567()); // You can now use the my_data_bin_h_567 array. return 0; }

• This tool requires a recent version of QB64-PE to build.
• When you clone a repository that contains submodules, you need to run git submodule update --init --recursive to fetch the submodule content.

• Icon by Umut Pulat