Convert FB2 to HEX
Max file size 100mb.
FB2 vs Hexadecimal Format Comparison
| Aspect | FB2 (Source Format) | HEX (Target Format) |
|---|---|---|
| Format Overview |
FB2
FictionBook 2.0
XML-based ebook format developed in Russia. Designed specifically for fiction and literature with rich metadata support. Extremely popular in Eastern Europe and CIS countries. Stores complete book structure including chapters, annotations, and cover images in a single XML file. Ebook Format XML-Based |
HEX
Hexadecimal Encoding
Base-16 number representation that converts binary data to human-readable hexadecimal digits (0-9, A-F). Each byte is represented by two hex characters. Widely used for data analysis, debugging, memory dumps, and low-level file inspection. Essential tool for developers and reverse engineers. Data Format Encoding |
| Technical Specifications |
Structure: XML document
Encoding: UTF-8 Format: Text-based XML Compression: Optional (ZIP as .fb2.zip) Extensions: .fb2, .fb2.zip |
Structure: Sequential hex digits
Encoding: Hexadecimal (base-16) Format: Text representation of binary Compression: None (expands 2x) Extensions: .hex, .txt |
| Syntax Examples |
FB2 uses XML structure: <FictionBook>
<description>
<title-info>
<book-title>My Book</book-title>
<author>John Doe</author>
</title-info>
</description>
<body>
<section>
<title>Chapter 1</title>
<p>Text content...</p>
</section>
</body>
</FictionBook>
|
HEX shows raw byte values: 3c46 6963 7469 6f6e 426f 6f6b 3e0a 2020 3c64 6573 6372 6970 7469 6f6e 3e0a 2020 2020 3c74 6974 6c65 2d69 6e66 6f3e 0a20 2020 2020 203c 626f 6f6b 2d74 6974 6c65 3e4d 7920 426f 6f6b 3c2f 626f 6f6b 2d74 6974 6c65 3e0a 2020 2020 2020 3c61 7574 686f 723e 4a6f 686e 2044 6f65 3c2f 6175 7468 6f72 3e0a (Each 2 hex digits = 1 byte) |
| Content Support |
|
|
| Advantages |
|
|
| Disadvantages |
|
|
| Common Uses |
|
|
| Best For |
|
|
| Version History |
Introduced: 2004 (Russia)
Current Version: FB2.1 Status: Stable, widely used Evolution: FB3 in development |
Introduced: 1960s (computing era)
Current Version: Standard encoding Status: Universal standard Evolution: Unchanged since inception |
| Software Support |
Calibre: Full support
FBReader: Native format Cool Reader: Full support Other: Moon+ Reader, AlReader |
Hex Editors: HxD, Hex Fiend, 010 Editor
Command Line: xxd, hexdump, od IDEs: VS Code, Vim (with plugins) Other: Python binascii, online tools |
Why Convert FB2 to Hexadecimal?
Converting FB2 ebooks to hexadecimal format is useful for developers, researchers, and forensic analysts who need to inspect file contents at the byte level. Hexadecimal encoding provides a human-readable representation of binary data, making it possible to analyze file structure, detect corruption, recover data, or understand how FB2 files are constructed internally.
FB2 (FictionBook 2) is an XML-based ebook format that stores text, metadata, and embedded images in a structured format. While FB2 is primarily text-based XML, it can contain binary data (like Base64-encoded images) and various control characters. Converting to hexadecimal reveals the exact byte-by-byte composition of the file, including XML tags, text encoding, embedded data, and file structure.
Hexadecimal representation is essential for debugging, reverse engineering, and educational purposes. Each byte in the original file is represented by two hexadecimal digits (0-9, A-F), making the entire file content visible and analyzable. This is particularly valuable when troubleshooting file format issues, analyzing malformed files, or learning about file format specifications.
Key Benefits of Converting FB2 to Hexadecimal:
- Complete Visibility: See every byte in the file exactly as stored
- Debugging: Identify file corruption or encoding issues
- Format Analysis: Understand FB2 internal structure
- Data Recovery: Extract embedded images or corrupted data
- Security Analysis: Detect hidden data or malicious content
- Educational: Learn about file formats and encoding
- Forensics: Analyze file metadata and timestamps
Practical Examples
Example 1: XML Tag Inspection
Input FB2 file (book.fb2):
<FictionBook> <body>Text</body> </FictionBook>
Output Hexadecimal representation:
3c46 6963 7469 6f6e 426f 6f6b 3e0a 2020 3c62 6f64 793e 5465 7874 3c2f 626f 6479 3e0a 3c2f 4669 6374 696f 6e42 6f6f 6b3e Decoded: 3c = < (less than) 46 69 63... = "FictionBook" 0a = newline 20 = space 3e = > (greater than)
Example 2: UTF-8 Encoding Analysis
Input FB2 with Unicode:
<p>Hello: Привет</p>
Output Hexadecimal:
3c70 3e48 656c 6c6f 3a20 d09f d180 d0b8 d0b2 d0b5 d182 3c2f 703e Analysis: 48 65 6c 6c 6f = "Hello" (ASCII) d09f = П (Cyrillic, 2-byte UTF-8) d180 = р (Cyrillic, 2-byte UTF-8) Shows UTF-8 multi-byte encoding
Example 3: Embedded Image Detection
Input FB2 with Base64 image:
<binary id="cover.jpg" content-type="image/jpeg"> /9j/4AAQSkZJRg... </binary>
Output Hexadecimal (excerpt):
2f39 6a2f 3441 4151 536b 5a4a 5267 Analysis: 2f39 6a2f = "/9j/" (Base64 start) JPEG signature visible in Base64 Can identify embedded image types Useful for extracting corrupt images
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 file conversion, each byte (8 bits, 0-255) is represented by two hex characters. For example, the letter 'A' (ASCII 65) is represented as '41' in hex. This makes binary data human-readable.
Q: Why would I need to view an FB2 file in hexadecimal?
A: Hex viewing is useful for debugging corrupted FB2 files, analyzing file structure, extracting embedded images, detecting hidden data, understanding encoding issues, or learning about the FB2 format specification. It's an essential tool for developers and data analysts.
Q: Can I convert hexadecimal back to FB2?
A: Yes! Hex can be decoded back to binary, recreating the original FB2 file exactly. Tools like xxd (Unix), online hex decoders, or programming languages (Python's binascii module) can convert hex back to binary. The conversion is completely reversible with no data loss.
Q: How much larger is the hexadecimal file?
A: Hex files are exactly twice the size of the original binary file because each byte (1 character) requires 2 hex digits. A 100 KB FB2 file becomes 200 KB in hex format. This is the standard expansion ratio for hexadecimal encoding.
Q: What tools can I use to view hexadecimal files?
A: Popular hex editors include HxD (Windows), Hex Fiend (Mac), 010 Editor (cross-platform), and command-line tools like xxd, hexdump, or od (Unix/Linux). Many text editors like VS Code and Vim also support hex viewing with plugins.
Q: Can I edit the hexadecimal file and convert back?
A: Yes, but be careful! You can modify hex values and decode back to create a modified FB2 file. This is useful for fixing corruption, changing metadata, or patching files. However, invalid changes will corrupt the file. Always backup originals before editing hex data.
Q: What's the difference between hex dump formats?
A: Various hex formats exist: plain hex (continuous hex digits), canonical hex dump (with addresses and ASCII), and formatted displays (groups of bytes). Our converter produces standard hex encoding suitable for analysis and decoding with common tools.
Q: Is hexadecimal safe for sensitive files?
A: Hexadecimal encoding doesn't provide any security or encryption - it's just a different representation. All data remains visible and easily decoded. Never use hex as a security measure. For privacy, use proper encryption (AES, etc.) before converting to hex.