[X-Unix] So what is a dmg file?

[Lotas Smartman]

actually a dmg file is something like a windows exe or a mac .app file. 
its a runnable file. it auto mounts an image, and sometimes 
uncompresses it too, and then you can use it. think of it as a self 
extracting zip file, without the extracting. or a virtual cdrom drive.
someone did go off and get a load of files and figure out what each one 
did, so yea, file does have a list of "magic numbers" so it can find 
out what each file is. pretty handy util.
Lotas T Smartman, MCP
www.lotas-smartman.net
www.the-hairy-one.com
www.lsn-blog.tk
On 22 Jan 2004, at 06:20, James Bucanek wrote:

> Victor Eijkhout wrote on Thursday, January 22, 2004:
>
>>> Why would you expect 'file' to know anything about Mac OS X specific
>>> file formats?  'file' is a UNIX utility.
>>
>> I would at least expect it to report the same about all dmg files.
>
> But 'file' just makes a guess about a binary file based on "magic 
> numbers" it finds at the beginning of the file.  Unless someone has 
> updated its database to include the "magic numbers" for dmg files, the 
> results are going to be, more or less, random.  Or at the very least, 
> consitently confused with some other binary file format that appears 
> to be similar.
>
> ______________________________________________________
> James Bucanek       <mailto:privatereply at gloaming.com>
>
> ----------
> Check out the Mac OS X email list FAQ
> http://www.themacintoshguy.com/lists/X.html
>
> To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <X-Unix-off at lists.themacintoshguy.com>
> To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to 
> <X-Unix-digest at lists.themacintoshguy.com>
> Need help from a real person? Try.  
> <X-Unix-request at lists.themacintoshguy.com>
>
> ----------
> $14.99 Unlimited Nationwide Mac Dialup and Mac Web Hosting from your 
> Mac ISP
> Serious Mac Internet Solutions From NineWire!   
> http://macinternetaccess.com
>
> DVIator   | Run Dual ADC displays on your G4 or just one on an older 
> Mac!
> Dr. Bott  | <http://www.drbott.com/prod/DVIator.html>
>
>    Support   | Support this list by clicking here before you buy!
>   this List  |  http://www.themacintoshguy.com/support.html
>
> OS X News, Dr.Mac, Forums, Tutorials, Tips, Hints, FAQ?s - 
> http://www.osxfaq.com