Understanding the FTP Binary Command

In this article, we will explore the details of the FTP binary command, including what it is, why it's used, and how to use it effectively.

What is the FTP Binary Command?

The FTP binary command is used to set the file transfer mode to binary, which is the most commonly used transfer mode for FTP. This mode tells the server that the file being transferred must be treated as a binary file, ensuring that the file is transferred in its exact original form without any transformations. In the context of FTP, there are two basic modes for transferring files: ASCII and binary. The ASCII mode is used for text files which contain readable characters, while the binary mode is used for files that contain binary data, such as images, videos, audio files, executables, and more. The FTP binary command becomes especially important when transferring non-text files. If you were to use ASCII mode to transfer a non-text file, it could result in a corrupted file since the FTP client would attempt to convert non-standard characters, which would alter the original data. By using the binary command, you can ensure that your files will remain intact during the transfer.

How to Use the FTP Binary Command?

Using the FTP binary command is straightforward. Once you've established an FTP connection, you simply type "binary" into the command line interface, then hit the enter key. Here's an example: When you enter the binary command, the FTP server should respond with a message similar to "200 Type set to I." This indicates that the binary mode has been set successfully. The binary command is critical because it ensures the successful transfer of binary files. When transferring these types of files, it is important to ensure that they are not changed or corrupted during the process. The binary command helps achieve this by instructing the FTP server to handle the files as binary data, maintaining their integrity throughout the transfer.