Hex Editor

What Does Hex Editor Mean?

A hex editor is a software application that is used for analyzing, viewing and running of hexadecimal coded files on a computer. A hexadecimal file is a standard for storing binary files that can be used directly by the computer.

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A hex editor is also known as a byte editor or binary file editor.

Techopedia Explains Hex Editor

A typical hex editor consists of three areas: the left side is the address area that has the byte address, the center area with a hexadecimal display and the right side where characters are displayed. Some hex editors offer the users the ability to customize which area displays what form of data and can even let the user have their own text configuration.

Since a hex editor displays a raw form of data, it does not require an interpreter to display text in a user-understandable form or format. The byte form of every command written in any code is stored in a hex file so that when opened in a hex editor, it shows the exact physical location of memory of objects and variables.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…