ZipScan is a program that searches multiple Zip archive files for files within them whose names match a given specification. I wrote this because I have a fairly large number of documents that are backed-up onto CD within Zip files. Finding a particular file from amongst this collection is difficult as the Windows file finder does not look into Zips and WinZip does not currently include a search option. This program means that I can easily find the file in which I am interested.
There is no need for installation: just run the program from anywhere on your hard drive.
The program is quite easy to use:
1) Use the Browse button to select the directory containing the Zip files you wish to search. The program can optionally recursively search the sub-directories of this directory.
2) Specify one or more search patterns. You can specify up to 4 patterns by checking or unchecking the boxes next to the editable fields. These patterns use the standard wildcard characters (* and ?) to search for matching filenames. For example, "*.txt" would find all files that end in .txt; "tr?ck.txt" would find track.txt, trick.txt, tr7ck.txt etc. In addition, by selecting the appropriate check box, you can employ two additional wildcard characters, $ and #. $ will match any letter character and # will match any single digit. So, "tr$ck" would match track and trick but not tr7ck. "tr#ck" would match tr7ck but not track, trick or tr567ck. If the check box is not selected, these symbols act as normal characters and must match a $ or # in the filename.
3) Click 'Run' to carry out the search. You will see the results window that will show the files as they are found. You can stop the search before it has finished by hitting 'Abort'.
4) When the search has finished, all the files found will
be shown on screen with the name of the Zip file in which they exist and
their size when uncompressed. The list can be sorted by clicking the column
headings. You can also save the list to a text file for future reference.
ZipScan is Freeware and is supplied without warranty. You are welcome to use and distribute it for free provided that all the files are supplied together and unchanged. If you use this software, please e-mail me to tell me what you think of it. Please also report and bugs, mistakes or functionality you would like to see added and I will do my best to oblige. Possible ideas for new features are:
Support for NT file paths over 256 characters.
Faster searching
Logging errors to file (eg when a Zip file cannot be opened or is corrupt)
Open zip files or extract files from within ZipScan
Listing file date and time, or other attributes, in the results window
Making the results dialog resizable
Ability to search CAB files and other archive formats
More complex searching based on size, date etc. as in Windows file search
Let me know which features would be most useful to you.
The latest version of the program will always be available for download from my website.
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Ithaca/4301/ZipScan.htm
This document and the ZipScan program are (C)opyright 1999 Adrian Bhagat.