Fq: Jq for Binary Formats (github.com)

Article summary

Fq is a tool, language, and decoders for working with binary formats, inspired by jq. It features a structural hex viewer, nested format decoding, and an interactive REPL with auto-completion. Fq supports a wide range of binary formats and can be installed on various platforms. The project aims to make binaries more accessible and queryable.

Main themes

• binary formats
• jq inspiration
• reverse-engineering
• intellectual property
• hobbyist contributions
• binary data analysis
• tool development
• community engagement

What commenters say

• The project has the potential to be a great tool for hooking up to LLMs and working with binary data.
• Some commenters believe that the name 'fq' is not intuitive and suggest alternative names like 'bq' for binary query.
• There is a need for a central database of binary parsers that everyone can contribute to.
• The existing software for working with binary formats is often primitive and niche.
• Some commenters disagree on the ethics of reverse-engineering and ripping assets from games, with some arguing that it is a legitimate hobby and others believing it is a violation of intellectual property.
• The punishment for violating intellectual property agreements can be severe and out of proportion to the crime.
• A paid tool like 010 Editor may have fewer contributions from hobbyists due to its cost.
• The project's goal of making binaries more accessible and queryable is seen as a positive development by many commenters.