C14png

C14png is a command-line utility designed for manipulating Portable Network Graphics (PNG) files. Its primary function is to extract and embed the C14N (Canonicalization) information within PNG files. Canonicalization, in this context, refers to a standardized process of representing data in a consistent and unambiguous format. For PNG files, this typically involves standardizing the order and encoding of metadata chunks.

The tool is particularly useful for developers and systems that require consistent handling of PNG metadata, such as in digital signatures, content verification, or certain archival processes. By ensuring that all metadata is represented in a predictable way, C14png helps to avoid discrepancies that might arise from different software interpreting or storing PNG metadata in varied manners. The utility operates by parsing the input PNG file, identifying the relevant metadata chunks, applying the canonicalization rules, and then either outputting the canonicalized data or embedding it back into a modified PNG file. Users can specify options to control which metadata is included or excluded from the canonicalization process.