MKI_BLOCK_BINARY (Data Block Classes)

This class describes a data block storing BINARY data (binary information).

We strongly recommend avoiding the storage of binary data and instead storing multiple data blocks with clearly defined data types such as text, __int32, and double. On the one hand, binary data is difficult to read and write; on the other hand, even small changes to the data structure can cause significant effort when opening older data. Under no circumstances should the contents of classes or structures be stored as a single block of binary data – this would be maintenance hell!

C++ Syntax

class MKI_BLOCK_BINARY : public MKI_BLOCK_BASE

{

  public:

  BYTE m_pData[];

};

Element Description

Header

[MKI_BLOCK_HEADER] This structure contains general information about the data block. The ElemType element is to be set to MKI_DB_TYPE_BINARY (9).

Data

[BYTE[]] List of data elements stored in the data block.

MKD Syntax

This data block is used to store one value of type BINARY.

BlockOwner,BlockType,9,ElemCount,Binary;

Element Description

BlockOwner

[__int16] This value is a unique identification of the creator of the plug-in that created the data block. The value MKI_DB_OWNER_MK is reserved for use by Malz++Kassner, especially for objects and data blocks that are created and handled directly by the application. Valid range: 0 ≤ x < 10000.

Third-party vendors that plan to implement a plug-in should contact Malz++Kassner to receive their unique identification (see Getting Your Private Owner ID).

BlockType

[__int16] This value is an internal identification of the data block. This value is used by the plug-in that created this object. For information about this value see the documentation of the plug-in which should include a description of all extended objects used.

Data blocks created by third-party vendors should use values between 1000 and 29999 (inclusive), the other values are reserved for direct use by Malz++Kassner.

ElemCount

[__int16] Maximum length of the binary data in this data block. The number of bytes given by ElemCount will be allocated statically in memory, allowing a direct modification of the binary data. Valid range: 1 ≤ x ≤ MKI_DB_SIZE_MAX.

Binary

[BINARY] Binary data encoded as character string. The length of the string may be less or equal to 4/3×ElemCount (since three bytes are always represented by four characters), including 0. The number of characters in the hexadecimal string must be dividable by four!