WWPACK

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|subcat=Compression
 
|subcat=Compression
 
|subcat2=Executable compression
 
|subcat2=Executable compression
|released=1993
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|released=1994
 
}}
 
}}
 
'''WWPACK''' is an executable compression utility for DOS, developed by Piotr Warezak and Rafal Wierzbicki. Its main feature is compression of [[MS-DOS EXE|EXE]] files.
 
'''WWPACK''' is an executable compression utility for DOS, developed by Piotr Warezak and Rafal Wierzbicki. Its main feature is compression of [[MS-DOS EXE|EXE]] files.
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== Discussion ==
 
== Discussion ==
Version 3.00+ can also compress arbitrary data files. Such files are compressed using the "<code>PD</code>" command, and decompressed with "<code>UD</code>".
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The WWPACK documentation is inconsistent about some things, such as which versions were released, the release date of v3.00, and which versions have the "<code>U</code>" decompression feature. The information here is based on evidence, and educated guesswork.
 +
 
 +
The first released version was 3.00 (1994-11-16?). Earlier 1.x and 2.x versions existed, and are described in the v3.00 documentation, but none of them seem to have leaked to the internet. Prior to v3.00, WWPACK only compressed the DOS "relocation table". It became a full-fledged executable compression utility as of v3.00.
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WWPACK (v3.00+) can also compress arbitrary data files. Such files are compressed using the "<code>PD</code>" command, and decompressed with "<code>UD</code>".
  
 
Version 3.03+ can also compress [[DOS executable (.com)|COM]] files, converting them to EXE.
 
Version 3.03+ can also compress [[DOS executable (.com)|COM]] files, converting them to EXE.
  
 
The registered version of WWPACK v3.03+ has a "<code>U</code>" command, to decompress (some) executable files compressed with WWPACK.
 
The registered version of WWPACK v3.03+ has a "<code>U</code>" command, to decompress (some) executable files compressed with WWPACK.
 
No WWPACK versions prior to 3.00 have been found. Based on the 3.00 documentation, there were five such releases: 2.00 (1993-11-24), 2.01, 2.02a, 2.03, and 2.04. Prior to v3.00, WWPACK only compressed the DOS "relocation table". It became a full-fledged executable compression utility as of v3.00.
 
  
 
== Identification ==
 
== Identification ==
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** {{CdTextfiles|nightowl/nopv20/019A/WWP304.ZIP|v3.04}}
 
** {{CdTextfiles|nightowl/nopv20/019A/WWP304.ZIP|v3.04}}
 
** {{CdTextfiles|pdos9606/ARCHIVER/EXECOMP/WWP304A.ZIP|v3.04a}}
 
** {{CdTextfiles|pdos9606/ARCHIVER/EXECOMP/WWP304A.ZIP|v3.04a}}
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** [{{SACFTPURL|pack|wwp304ag.zip}} v3.04a with German installer and documentation]
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** {{CdTextfiles|thegreatunsorted/old_cracks/old_cracks_a-l/wwp305b3.zip|v3.05 beta 3}}
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** [{{SACFTPURL|pack|wwp305b5.zip}} v3.05 beta 5]
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''Ed. note: Some versions of WWPACK will refuse to run unless the timestamp of the WWPACK.EXE file is exactly correct. For v3.04, it must be 1996-01-06 03:04:00am. For v3.04a, it must be 1996-01-21 03:04:00am.''
  
''Ed. note: The later versions of WWPACK will refuse to run unless the timestamp of the WWPACK.EXE file is exactly correct. For v3.04, it must be 1996-01-06 03:04:00am. For v3.04a, it must be 1996-01-21 03:04:00am.''
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For some utilities that might be able to decompress WWPACK-compressed EXE files, see [[Executable compression#Decompression software]].

Latest revision as of 15:10, 30 July 2023

File Format
Name WWPACK
Ontology
Released 1994

WWPACK is an executable compression utility for DOS, developed by Piotr Warezak and Rafal Wierzbicki. Its main feature is compression of EXE files.

See also WWPack32, a related utility for Windows.

[edit] Discussion

The WWPACK documentation is inconsistent about some things, such as which versions were released, the release date of v3.00, and which versions have the "U" decompression feature. The information here is based on evidence, and educated guesswork.

The first released version was 3.00 (1994-11-16?). Earlier 1.x and 2.x versions existed, and are described in the v3.00 documentation, but none of them seem to have leaked to the internet. Prior to v3.00, WWPACK only compressed the DOS "relocation table". It became a full-fledged executable compression utility as of v3.00.

WWPACK (v3.00+) can also compress arbitrary data files. Such files are compressed using the "PD" command, and decompressed with "UD".

Version 3.03+ can also compress COM files, converting them to EXE.

The registered version of WWPACK v3.03+ has a "U" command, to decompress (some) executable files compressed with WWPACK.

[edit] Identification

EXE files compressed by WWPACK probably have ASCII "WWP" at offset 28.

Data files compressed by WWPACK begin with "WWP".

[edit] Software

Ed. note: Some versions of WWPACK will refuse to run unless the timestamp of the WWPACK.EXE file is exactly correct. For v3.04, it must be 1996-01-06 03:04:00am. For v3.04a, it must be 1996-01-21 03:04:00am.

For some utilities that might be able to decompress WWPACK-compressed EXE files, see Executable compression#Decompression software.

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