E01

GISBox is a one-stop 3D GIS data editing, conversion and publishing platform that supports editing in multiple GIS formats such as OSGB/GEOTIFF/RVT, converting to 3DTiles/Terrain and publishing.

Introduction

E01 file is a dedicated data archive file format used to store and transmit large-scale GIS data sets. It was developed by Esri to improve the performance and efficiency of GIS data. The E01 file uses a binary format and has a high compression rate, which can organize a large amount of geographic data in a single file. E01 files are usually used to store raster data, vector data, topological data, attribute data, etc. It also supports data indexing and querying to speed up data access and analysis.

File Structure

E01 files consist of three main parts: file header, checksum, and data block.

File header: contains metadata about the evidence file, such as file size, creation time, modification time, etc., and may contain information related to the investigation case, such as investigators, locations, institutions, notes, etc. This information helps ensure the integrity and traceability of the file.
Checksum: Each byte of the E01 file is checked by a 32-bit CRC (cyclic redundancy check) to ensure data integrity. By default, the analysis software automatically checks in data blocks of every 64 sectors, which takes into account both speed and integrity.
Data block: contains the actual evidence data, which is extracted from the original evidence source (such as hard disk, USB flash drive, etc.). The data block is saved in a specific compressed fragment format, and each fragment can be called and decompressed individually when needed, so that random access to the data in the image can be achieved.

Pros

1. Data encapsulation: E01 files may have strong data encapsulation capabilities, which can integrate multiple types of data (such as text, images, audio, etc.) into one file, facilitating unified management and transmission of data.

2. Cross-platform compatibility: Some E01 files may be designed to be cross-platform compatible and can be opened and read on different operating systems, improving the portability and availability of data.

3. Security: E01 files may use specific encryption or compression algorithms to protect the confidentiality and integrity of data and prevent unauthorized access or tampering.

4. Easy to backup: Since E01 files are usually a single file, the backup and recovery process may be relatively simple, and only requires copying or restoring the file.

Cons

1. Dependence on specific software: Opening and editing E01 files may require specific software or tools, which increases the software cost and learning cost of the user.

2. File size: Since E01 files may contain multiple types of data, the file size may be large, occupying more storage space, and may affect the transmission speed.

3. Compatibility issues: Although some E01 files are designed to be cross-platform compatible, there may still be compatibility issues with specific operating systems or software versions, resulting in the inability to open or read the file.

4. Data access efficiency: For E01 files containing a large amount of data, accessing specific data may take a long time to load, affecting the user’s experience.

Application Scenario

E01 files are suitable for storing and managing large-scale GIS datasets. Since E01 files have a high compression rate, they can be used to transfer large-scale GIS datasets to other users or share them with partners.