Decode or reverse engineer this old file structure
$250-750 USD
In Progress
Posted almost 11 years ago
$250-750 USD
Paid on delivery
I have a need to create some files to be able to be sent to a device. The software that created these is no longer made. They are 654 byte of data which takes up 4k of space on the drive.
These files are transferred via modem and are loaded into a machine: they contain 12 fields: Last name (16 spaces) , first name (10 spaces), ID number (12 spaces) Age 3 spaces of 5 selections - years months weeks, days hours, Gender 0/1 Race(12 spaces), Height weight Order number (9 spaces)Type - ECG,PED, GXT, MXT
I need to deconstruct the file format and have a piece of software written that would allow me to write these files from an XML file. I'd like to be able to drop and XML file in one directory and one of these [login to view URL] files pop out the other end.
In order to verify - I would need the FL to be able to create a file and send it to me and I should be able to open it up and read on my device. The attached files were created on the device. I'm not sure if there is any compression or not, I dont think so. I can open it up in a hex editor and see the text.
Milestones: 1. download the files, and create a file I can read. For this I pay 50%. You will know whether or not you succeeded. Send me the file, I upload it if it works then I pay the first 50%
2. Write a small program that will allow me to drop in an XML file in a directory and the application will poll for new files every second and process into one of the [login to view URL] files. I pay the next 50% for that.
Hi! I love to decode hex files (game saves, replacing voice for GPS app, etc). I can write this conversion utility for you with a pleasure.
_________ Requirements:
For every field to be converted I need to see ORD files that differ only with that one field. For example, to be able to code every age type I will need to see 5 ORM files that differs only with age type (years / months / weeks / days / hours) - all other fields must be filled the same.
_________ What do you get:
1. Detailed documentation of ORD format.
2. Description of input XML file format (I can propose XML format or adapt to your proposition).
3. Software that allows you to convert all .xml files from one folder to .ord files (command line or GUI - as you choose) with full source code (C++ or C#).
_________ Others:
I'm experienced in reverse engineering. I can take care of CRCs, headers, field lengths - all important things that can be tricky for beginners. I could send you probably working ORM files now (milestone #1), but I think it's no proof as anyone can easily change last name and order number inside existing files with a hex editor but encoding every field is not possible without additional sample files (look at requirements).
Dear iquotient,
Interesting puzzle, always fun to do. I have reverse engineered several fileformats and network protocols in the past. The most work is in identifying the fields (no compression or encryption in this one, that's nice), the layout (fixed length, separators), and any checksums on single fields or entire file or message. See the PM for more.
Hello, I have looked over your details and files and would like your project to be my first one on freelancer.com. Please see private messages. Thank you.
For the details please check the private message.
My bid is based on the assumption the work to be done is:
a) perform file format analysis
b) create converter of XML -> ORD / LST
c) automate conversion, that is to say, the solution will poll for XML files locally and
d) trasnfer of ORD/LST files to Arduino wifi devices is out of scope for the discussed solution