char[12]  File Name
byte      Flags
char[...] File Data

Sent when: player requests a file from the host (using the send command), or probably at other times

Sent to: whomever it may concern

This record is used to transmit a file from the host to a player. It consists of a 13-byte header, followed immediately by the file data.

The File Name contains the null-padded file name. Only DOS 8.3 file names are allowed which have a maximum length of 12 characters total. The Flags contain additional flags which describe the file. Currently, only the least-significant bit is used, all others are zero (reserved for future use).

  • Bit 0 = 0: file is a binary file and must be unpacked verbatim
  • Bit 0 = 1: file is a text file, in DOS text format (lines terminated with CR+LF). Unpackers may translate it accordingly. Note that PHost 2.x sends text files verbatim as they are on the host system.

► Note: Files larger than 32k can't currently be sent through this interface. We're considering an extension to allow that at a later time. If you need it, bug us :-)

Currently, PHost uses this record for the following tasks:

  • to send the pconfig.src and shiplist.txt files, in response the send config command or the con friendly code. These files are text files.
  • to send the race.nm file when requested via the send racenames command. This is a binary file.
  • to send the xtrfcode.txt file when requested via the send fcodes command. This is a text file.

Add-on programs may use this record for a similar purpose.