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dhex
What it is
dhex is a free hex editor with a diff mode for comparing two binary files. Based on ncurses, it uses a terminal interface and is listed for Linux and macOS; the maker also reports it running on HP-UX, FreeBSD, NetBSD, IRIX, and Solaris. Search logs can help track changes across different versions of files, and users can change its appearance with themes from the site or submitted by users. Version 0.66 added command-line searches for quoted strings as well as single words, plus a setting for header colors in `.dhexrc`. Version 0.67 added a base address option when loading files, which can help with partial memory dumps. Version 0.64 included a basic correlator to help match an object file with an executable for comparison. The maker offers downloads including version 0.69, listed as the latest update for the 0.6x branch and dated 19 January 2019. The maker warns that version 0.64 crashes at startup on some systems.
For and against
For
- Diff mode compares two binary files.
- Search logs track changes across file iterations.
- Command-line search supports quoted strings.
- Themes can change the editor's appearance.
Against
- Latest listed 0.6x update dates to 2019.
- The maker warns version 0.64 crashes on some systems.
- Binary templates are not supported.
- Scripting and plugin support are absent.
The verdict
dhex provides binary comparison and change-tracking features in a terminal interface. Check the listed version details and avoid version 0.64, which the maker warns can crash at startup on some systems.
Who it suits
dhex may suit users who want a terminal-based hex editor for comparing binary files or tracking changes across file iterations. Its base-address option may be useful when working with partial memory dumps.
Plans and prices
dhex
Read 5 Oct 2026 · dettus.net
On the record
- Base address
- Version 0.67 added the ability to set a base address when loading a file, to help work with partial memory dumps.dettus.net · read 5 Oct 2026
- Change tracking
- Search logs can be used to track changes across different iterations of files.dettus.net · read 5 Oct 2026
- Command-line search
- Version 0.66 added command-line searching for quoted strings, in addition to single words.dettus.net · read 5 Oct 2026
- Configuration
- Version 0.66 added an option to set header colors in the .dhexrc file.dettus.net · read 5 Oct 2026
- Correlator
- Version 0.64 included a naive correlator that could help match an object file to an executable for comparison.dettus.net · read 5 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The maker's page provides downloads for DHEX versions, including version 0.69.dettus.net · read 5 Oct 2026
- Latest listed version
- The page lists version 0.69, dated 19 January 2019, as the latest update for the 0.6x branch.dettus.net · read 5 Oct 2026
- Maker
- The site's owner contact is Thomas Dettbarn, with a listed address in Fuerth, Germany.dettus.net · read 5 Oct 2026
- Partial memory dumps
- Version 0.67 added an option to set a base address when loading a file, to make working with partial memory dumps easier.dettus.net · read 5 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- DHEX is a hex editor with a diff mode for comparing two binary files.dettus.net · read 5 Oct 2026
- Quoted string search
- Version 0.66 added command-line searching for quoted strings as well as single words.dettus.net · read 5 Oct 2026
- Search logs
- DHEX uses search logs to help track changes across different iterations of files.dettus.net · read 5 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker asks users to send themes to [email protected] and to include DHEX in the theme header.dettus.net · read 5 Oct 2026
- Supported systems
- The maker says dhex is known to run on Linux, HP-UX, FreeBSD, NetBSD, MacOS X, IRIX and Solaris.dettus.net · read 5 Oct 2026
- Technology
- DHEX is based on ncurses.dettus.net · read 5 Oct 2026
- Terminal interface
- The site says dhex is based on ncurses and can run in a range of systems and scenarios.dettus.net · read 5 Oct 2026
- Themes
- DHEX is themeable, and the maker invites users to send in themes or download themes from the site.dettus.net · read 5 Oct 2026
- Version warning
- The maker warns users not to download version 0.64 because it crashes at startup on some systems.dettus.net · read 5 Oct 2026
