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WinRAR can _create_ RAR files. In fact it's one of the only pieces of software that can. The decompression algo is free, so it's implemented in 7zip. compressin

WinRAR can _create_ RAR files. In fact it's one of the only pieces of software that can. The decompression algo is free, so it's implemented in 7zip. compressing files in the format is what they want you to pay for.

dicytea 3y ago
> The decompression algo is free Is the algorithm itself actually available somewhere? IIRC 7zip had compatibility issues with some RAR files out there that opens up just fine with WinRAR, so I assumed they had to figure out the algo themselves.
- forgotpwd16 3y ago
  >Is the algorithm itself actually available somewhere? https://www.rarlab.com/rar_add.htm https://www.rarlab.com/rar_add.htm The source has the following restriction: UnRAR source code may be used in any software to handle RAR archives without limitations free of charge, but cannot be used to develop RAR (WinRAR) compatible archiver and to re-create RAR compression algorithm, which is proprietary. Distribution of modified UnRAR source code in separate form or as a part of other software is permitted, provided that full text of this paragraph, starting from "UnRAR source code" words, is included in license, or in documentation if license is not available, and in source code comments of resulting package.
AdmiralAsshat 3y ago
Sure...but in this day and age I almost consider .rar a "read-only" format. There will be plenty of RAR archives that people are keeping around for historical reasons, but, why would you still be creating WinRAR archives when there are better options?
- justsomehnguy 3y ago
  > there are better options? which are?.. If you need the interop then you can't beat ZIP If you need a built-in recovery record (and find a working decompressing program 10-20 years later) then you can't beat RAR If your corporate is insane and forbids 7z because it's FOSS/made by Russian then you can't beat RAR Which are those 'better options'?
  - kupopuffs 3y ago
    tar? XD
  - TiredOfLife 3y ago
    Your corporate should look up who makes WinRar.
    - justsomehnguy 3y ago
      Thanks, I know who and where from Eugene is.
- tinus_hn 3y ago
  On Usenet RAR/PAR is still the standard
  - Nyan 3y ago
    Hopefully that slowly stops being the standard: https://github.com/animetosho/Nyuu/wiki/Stop-RAR-Uploads https://github.com/animetosho/Nyuu/wiki/Stop-RAR-Uploads
    - bsagdiyev 3y ago
      Probably not, if the releases come from scene groups they follow the standard.
      - Nyan 3y ago
        If you search up guides on how to upload to Usenet, you'll often find most of the recommend creating split RARs. Uploaders who just transfer scene releases without bothering to extract will of course stick to RAR, but there's a lot of content these days that isn't from scene groups.

dicytea 3y ago

> The decompression algo is free Is the algorithm itself actually available somewhere? IIRC 7zip had compatibility issues with some RAR files out there that opens up just fine with WinRAR, so I assumed they had to figure out the algo themselves.

forgotpwd16 3y ago
>Is the algorithm itself actually available somewhere? https://www.rarlab.com/rar_add.htm https://www.rarlab.com/rar_add.htm The source has the following restriction: UnRAR source code may be used in any software to handle RAR archives without limitations free of charge, but cannot be used to develop RAR (WinRAR) compatible archiver and to re-create RAR compression algorithm, which is proprietary. Distribution of modified UnRAR source code in separate form or as a part of other software is permitted, provided that full text of this paragraph, starting from "UnRAR source code" words, is included in license, or in documentation if license is not available, and in source code comments of resulting package.

AdmiralAsshat 3y ago

Sure...but in this day and age I almost consider .rar a "read-only" format. There will be plenty of RAR archives that people are keeping around for historical reasons, but, why would you still be creating WinRAR archives when there are better options?

justsomehnguy 3y ago
> there are better options? which are?.. If you need the interop then you can't beat ZIP If you need a built-in recovery record (and find a working decompressing program 10-20 years later) then you can't beat RAR If your corporate is insane and forbids 7z because it's FOSS/made by Russian then you can't beat RAR Which are those 'better options'?
- kupopuffs 3y ago
  tar? XD
- TiredOfLife 3y ago
  Your corporate should look up who makes WinRar.
  - justsomehnguy 3y ago
    Thanks, I know who and where from Eugene is.
tinus_hn 3y ago
On Usenet RAR/PAR is still the standard
- Nyan 3y ago
  Hopefully that slowly stops being the standard: https://github.com/animetosho/Nyuu/wiki/Stop-RAR-Uploads https://github.com/animetosho/Nyuu/wiki/Stop-RAR-Uploads
  - bsagdiyev 3y ago
    Probably not, if the releases come from scene groups they follow the standard.
    - Nyan 3y ago
      If you search up guides on how to upload to Usenet, you'll often find most of the recommend creating split RARs. Uploaders who just transfer scene releases without bothering to extract will of course stick to RAR, but there's a lot of content these days that isn't from scene groups.