Varázsszámokkal

Varázsszámokkal, known in English as magic numbers, refers to specific numerical constants that appear repeatedly in computer programming, particularly in the context of file formats and executable file headers. These numbers serve as identifiers, allowing software to recognize the type of data it is encountering. For instance, the first few bytes of a JPEG image file are a specific sequence of hexadecimal numbers, acting as a magic number to signal that the file is indeed a JPEG. Similarly, executable files on different operating systems often begin with unique magic numbers that indicate the architecture and operating system for which the file was compiled.

The primary purpose of magic numbers is to provide a quick and reliable way for operating systems and applications to determine a file's type without relying solely on its file extension, which can be easily changed or incorrect. This is crucial for security, preventing malicious files from masquerading as benign ones, and for ensuring that the correct software is used to open and process the data. Different file formats, such as Portable Network Graphics (PNG) or GIF images, employ their own distinct magic numbers. The term "magic number" is also used in other areas of computing, such as defining constants in code that have a specific, often unexplained, meaning, but its most common and well-defined use is in file identification.