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roadmap.md

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Zig xxd Implementation Roadmap

1. Basic Setup and File Handling

  • Create a function to open and read a file
  • Implement error handling for file operations
  • [-] Add basic tests for file handling
  • Implement basic command-line argument parsing

2. Core Hexdump Functionality

  • Implement a function to convert bytes to hex representation
  • Create a basic hexdump of file contents (hex only)
  • Add ASCII representation alongside hex output
  • Implement address counting in the output
  • Format output to match xxd's default format: 
    00000000: 7f45 4c46 0201 0100 0000 0000 0000 0000  .ELF............
  • Add tests for hex conversion and formatting

3. Basic Options

  • Implement -l length option to limit output
  • Add -s option for starting offset
  • Implement -c option to control bytes per line
  • [-] Add unit tests for each option

4. Advanced Features

  • Implement binary file input (-b option)
  • Add reverse operation (-r option) to convert hex dump back to binary
  • Implement plain hexdump (-p option)
  • Add option for uppercase hex (-u)
  • Implement grouping options (-g for octet grouping)

5. Stream Handling

  • Add support for reading from stdin when no file is specified
  • Implement proper handling of pipes and redirections
  • Add support for writing to stdout or files

6. Optimization and Refinement

  • Optimize memory usage for large files
  • Implement buffered reading for better performance
  • Add benchmarking tests
  • Compare performance with original xxd

7. Polish and Documentation

  • Write comprehensive documentation
  • Create a man page
  • Add usage examples
  • Implement --help with detailed option descriptions

8. Extra Features

  • Add color output option
  • Implement autosense feature for intelligent output formatting
  • Add option to output in C array format
  • Consider adding unique features not in original xxd

Notes

  • Focus on one section at a time
  • Each feature should have corresponding tests
  • Use zig test to ensure functionality
  • Compare output with original xxd for compatibility

Resources

  • Original xxd source code for reference
  • Zig documentation for file I/O and string manipulation
  • Hexdump format specifications

PART 2: TUI Hex Editor Implementation

9. Basic TUI Setup

  • Research and choose a TUI library (e.g., zig-ncurses, zig-termbox)
  • Set up basic window management
  • Implement status bar
  • Create basic event loop
  • Handle window resize events
  • Add quit functionality

9. Display Component

  • Create hex view layout (address + hex + ASCII)
  • Implement scrolling functionality
  • Add line numbers/addresses
  • Support different window sizes
  • Handle files larger than screen size
  • Implement syntax highlighting for different sections

10. Navigation

  • Add cursor movement (arrows, hjkl)
  • Implement page up/down
  • Add jump to address functionality
  • Create search functionality (hex/ASCII)
  • Implement mouse support (if desired)
  • Add bookmarks for positions

11. Editing Features

  • Implement insert mode for hex editing
  • Add ASCII editing mode
  • Support undo/redo operations
  • Add cut/copy/paste in hex format
  • Implement byte insertion/deletion
  • Add block operations (fill, copy, move)

12. File Operations

  • Integrate file loading from xxd implementation
  • Add file saving functionality
  • Implement backup creation
  • Add save-as functionality
  • Support for creating new files
  • Add read-only mode

13. Advanced Features

  • Add split view (hex/decoded)
  • Implement data inspector (common formats)
  • Add binary template support
  • Create pattern matching/highlighting
  • Support for different encodings
  • Add hex calculator

14. User Interface Enhancements

  • Add command line (like vim)
  • Create context-sensitive help
  • Implement status messages
  • Add configuration file support
  • Create custom color schemes
  • Add different view modes (byte, word, dword)

15. Analysis Tools

  • Add entropy visualization
  • Implement pattern recognition
  • Add data statistics
  • Create hex comparison tool
  • Support for checksums/hashing
  • Add file format detection

16. Performance Optimization

  • Implement efficient buffer management
  • Add memory mapped file support
  • Optimize screen updates
  • Add background processing for large files
  • Implement partial file loading
  • Add caching for viewed regions

17. Extra Features

  • Add plugin system
  • Create macro recording/playback
  • Add remote file editing
  • Implement collaborative editing
  • Add session management
  • Create export/import functionality

Notes

  • Reuse code from xxd implementation where possible
  • Focus on vim-like keybindings for familiarity
  • Maintain high performance with large files
  • Keep the interface intuitive for both hex and ASCII editing

Resources

  • Documentation for chosen TUI library
  • Existing hex editors for inspiration (hexcurse, hexyl)
  • File format specifications
  • Unicode specification for character display