ByteRep

This is a simple command-line tool for encoding and decoding JPEG and PNG images to and from bytes, with an option to display images on the command-line using Unicode characters.

Installation

Clone the repository and build the executable:

git clone https://github.com/ccianos/byterep.git
cd byterep
go build -o byterep

Usage

Encode an Image

Encode an image to bytes. The original format (JPEG or PNG) is preserved in the byte output.

# Encode a JPEG
./byterep -encode -input input_image.jpg > encoded_image.txt

# Encode a PNG
./byterep -encode -input input_image.png > encoded_image.txt

Decode an Image (Smart Output)

The -decode command is now TTY-aware. It changes behavior based on whether you're viewing it in a terminal or redirecting the output to a file.

1. Display as Unicode (in Terminal) When you run -decode and the output is your terminal, it will display the image using Unicode characters.

# Display an encoded file as Unicode
./byterep -decode -input encoded_image.txt

# You can also display an original image file directly as Unicode
./byterep -decode -input input_image.jpg

./byterep -decode -input input_image.png

2. Reconstruct Image File (Redirected Output) When you redirect the output (using >), the command writes the raw image bytes, reconstructing the original file.

Note: Ensure your output file extension (.jpg or .png) matches the format of the original image you encoded.

# Reconstruct a JPEG image
./byterep -decode -input encoded_image.txt > decoded_image.jpg

# Reconstruct a PNG image
./byterep -decode -input encoded_image.txt > decoded_image.png

3. Force Display of Unicode Text (Redirected Output)

# You can force Unicode text on redirected output
./byterep -decode -unicode -input input_image.jpg > unicode_output.txt

./byterep -decode -unicode -input input_image.png > unicode_output.txt

./byterep -decode -unicode -input encoded_image.txt > unicode_output.txt

Options

• -encode: Encode the input JPEG or PNG image to bytes
• -decode: Decode the encoded data. Displays as Unicode to a terminal, or writes raw image bytes if redirected.
• -unicode: Force Unicode text output, even when redirecting.
• -input: Input file path
• -help: Show help message

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.