Quantum compressed archive

Quantum is a compressed archive utility, and associated file format, developed by Cinematronics corporation. It runs on a normal computer, not a quantum computer.

Discussion
As of v0.97, the distribution includes:


 * PAQ.EXE - Compressor for DOS
 * UNPAQ.EXE - Decompressor for DOS
 * QWIN.EXE - Decompressor for Windows 3.x

The software (at least for v0.96-0.97) is consistently named "Quantum", despite filenames that may suggest other names.

Identification
Files begin with bytes. The next byte (the major version number) is probably always.

Specifications

 * [ quant097.zip] → QUANTUM.DOC → "Archive file format" section
 * Quantum compression format

Software

 * [ Quantum 0.97]
 * [ Quantum 0.97]

Sample files

 * http://cd.textfiles.com/1000games/ → *.PAK
 * https://telparia.com/fileFormatSamples/archive/quantum/

Related formats

 * Some Microsoft CAB files use the same "Quantum" compression scheme as this format.