Convert ADOC to HEX

Why Convert ADOC to HEX?

Converting AsciiDoc documents to hexadecimal encoding is valuable for debugging, binary analysis, and low-level programming tasks. Hexadecimal representation allows developers to inspect the exact byte values of documentation files, identify encoding issues, analyze file structure, and work with binary data in a human-readable format that maps directly to computer memory.

AsciiDoc files contain various characters including ASCII text, Unicode symbols, and special markup characters. When debugging encoding problems, character corruption, or transmission issues, viewing the hex representation reveals the actual byte values. This is especially useful when AsciiDoc files appear corrupted or contain invisible characters that cause processing errors.

Hexadecimal encoding is the standard format in programming and debugging environments. Each byte (0-255) is represented as exactly two hex digits (00-FF), making it easy to calculate file offsets, identify byte patterns, and compare binary data. Developers can use hex output to verify file encoding (UTF-8, UTF-16, etc.), locate byte order marks (BOM), or analyze file signatures.

While hex encoding doubles the file size (each byte becomes two characters), it provides perfect byte-level visibility. This is essential for reverse engineering, security analysis, embedded systems development, and any task requiring precise binary inspection. Hex is preferred over Base64 for debugging because each byte maps to a predictable position in the output.

Key Benefits of Converting ADOC to HEX:

• Debugging: Identify encoding issues and invisible characters
• Binary Analysis: Inspect exact byte values of documentation
• File Comparison: Compare files at byte level using diff tools
• Encoding Verification: Confirm UTF-8, UTF-16, or other encodings
• Security Analysis: Examine files for hidden or malicious content
• Development: Work with file data in programming contexts
• Reversible: Convert back to original ADOC anytime

Practical Examples

Example 1: Debugging Encoding Issues

Input ADOC file (document.adoc):

= User Guide
:encoding: utf-8

== Introduction

Welcome to the guide!

NOTE: This is important.

Output HEX (showing byte values):

Offset    00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 0A 0B 0C 0D 0E 0F
--------  -----------------------------------------------
00000000  3D 20 55 73 65 72 20 47 75 69 64 65 0A 3A 65 6E  = User Guide.:en
00000010  63 6F 64 69 6E 67 3A 20 75 74 66 2D 38 0A 0A 3D  coding: utf-8..=
00000020  3D 20 49 6E 74 72 6F 64 75 63 74 69 6F 6E 0A 0A  = Introduction..
00000030  57 65 6C 63 6F 6D 65 20 74 6F 20 74 68 65 20 67  Welcome to the g
00000040  75 69 64 65 21 0A 0A 4E 4F 54 45 3A 20 54 68 69  uide!..NOTE: Thi
00000050  73 20 69 73 20 69 6D 70 6F 72 74 61 6E 74 2E     s is important.

Example 2: Identifying Special Characters

Input ADOC file with Unicode (special.adoc):

= Documentation

TIP: Use smart quotes "like this"

Symbols: (C) (R) (TM) -> <- => <=

Output HEX (revealing byte sequences):

3D 20 44 6F 63 75 6D 65 6E 74 61 74 69 6F 6E 0A
0A 54 49 50 3A 20 55 73 65 20 73 6D 61 72 74 20
71 75 6F 74 65 73 20 E2 80 9C 6C 69 6B 65 20 74  (E2 80 9C = left quote)
68 69 73 E2 80 9D 0A 0A 53 79 6D 62 6F 6C 73 3A  (E2 80 9D = right quote)
20 28 43 29 20 28 52 29 20 28 54 4D 29 20 2D 3E
20 3C 2D 20 3D 3E 20 3C 3D

Analysis: UTF-8 encoded, smart quotes at bytes 0x20-0x22

Example 3: File Header Analysis

Input ADOC file with BOM (bom-file.adoc):

= Project README
Author

== Overview

Project description here.

Output HEX (checking for BOM):

File Analysis:
Offset 0x00: EF BB BF  (UTF-8 BOM detected!)
Offset 0x03: 3D 20 50  (= P - actual content starts)

Full hex dump:
EF BB BF 3D 20 50 72 6F 6A 65 63 74 20 52 45 41
44 4D 45 0A 41 75 74 68 6F 72 0A 0A 3D 3D 20 4F
76 65 72 76 69 65 77 0A 0A 50 72 6F 6A 65 63 74
20 64 65 73 63 72 69 70 74 69 6F 6E 20 68 65 72
65 2E

Note: BOM may cause issues with some processors

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is hexadecimal encoding?

A: Hexadecimal (hex) is a base-16 number system using digits 0-9 and letters A-F. In computing, it represents each byte (0-255) as exactly two hex characters (00-FF). This makes it ideal for displaying binary data because it directly maps to binary (each hex digit = 4 bits) while remaining human-readable.

Q: Why does HEX encoding double the file size?

A: Each byte in the original file requires two hexadecimal characters to represent. A byte value like 65 (letter 'A') becomes "41" in hex. This 2:1 ratio means a 100KB ADOC file becomes 200KB in hex format. This is larger than Base64 (which has ~33% overhead) but provides direct byte-to-position mapping.

Q: Can I convert HEX back to the original ADOC file?

A: Yes! Hexadecimal encoding is completely reversible. Every pair of hex digits converts back to the original byte. Tools like xxd -r, online hex decoders, or any programming language can convert hex back to the exact original ADOC content with all formatting preserved.

Q: When should I use HEX instead of Base64?

A: Use HEX when you need byte-level visibility for debugging, analysis, or programming. Each byte maps to a predictable position (byte N is at characters 2N and 2N+1). Use Base64 when you just need to transmit data safely and file size matters more than byte-level inspection.

Q: How do I read hexadecimal values?

A: Each hex character represents 4 bits. Common values: 0A = newline (10), 20 = space (32), 41-5A = A-Z, 61-7A = a-z, 30-39 = 0-9. Multi-byte UTF-8 characters start with values C0-FF. Hex editors and tools often show the ASCII equivalent alongside hex values.

Q: Will special AsciiDoc characters be visible in HEX?

A: Yes! Every character becomes visible as its byte value. Asterisks (*) show as 2A, underscores (_) as 5F, equals (=) as 3D, brackets ([]) as 5B/5D. UTF-8 characters like smart quotes appear as multi-byte sequences (E2 80 9C for left quote). This helps debug encoding issues.

Q: What is a BOM and how do I detect it in HEX?

A: BOM (Byte Order Mark) is a special sequence at the start of text files indicating encoding. In hex, UTF-8 BOM is EF BB BF, UTF-16 LE is FF FE, UTF-16 BE is FE FF. BOMs can cause issues with some AsciiDoc processors. Hex conversion reveals if your file has a BOM.

Q: Can I use HEX output in programming?

A: Absolutely! Hex strings are standard in programming. You can include hex data in source code (0x41 or \x41), configuration files, test fixtures, or embedded systems firmware. Most languages have built-in functions to convert between hex strings and binary data (hex(), bytes.fromhex(), etc.).