What is a .PAR2 file?
A .PAR2 file is a type of file known as a Parchive 2 File, which is used to help repair and recover damaged or missing files from a set of files. This file is created by a program called Parchive 2, or PAR2. The main purpose of a PAR2 file is to store "parity volumes" or an "index." Parity volumes are special data that can be used to reconstruct files that are lost or corrupted. The index part of a PAR2 file helps check that the files are complete and unchanged.
For example, imagine you download a group of files from the internet, but find out that one of the files is corrupted and won't open. If you have the corresponding PAR2 file, you can use it to fix the corrupted file and restore it to its original state. This is especially useful when sharing files over the internet, where files can easily become corrupted during the download process.
To open and use .PAR2 files, you can use software programs like PyPar2, QuickPar, MultiPar, or MacPAR Deluxe. These programs allow you to create PAR2 files for a group of files you want to protect, or use existing PAR2 files to repair files that are damaged or missing.
In summary, .PAR2 files are valuable for ensuring the integrity and completeness of a set of files, particularly in situations where files are being transferred or stored in environments where they might be at risk of damage.
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