File Format Sypex Geo designed adhering to the following rules.
Minimize the number of file operations
Hard drives in modern computers are the slowest device (the mass transition to more powerful SSDs is still a long way off). And their bottleneck is the random reading of small amounts of information (several kilobytes). At the same time, most typical websites consist primarily of many small files. Therefore, when creating Sypex Geo, the goal was to minimize the number of file operations.
Block reading is better than byte reading
Reading files from hard drive produced in blocks (usually 4 KB), i.e. even if you need to read one byte, the entire block is still read from the disk. Therefore, the file format was designed so that instead of 4-8 reads of 6 bytes from different parts of the file, one block of several KB is read.
Less data - higher speed
The file contains a special index of the first bytes (octets), which provides the following advantages.
- Only 3 bytes instead of 4 for storing an IP range (yes, this seems like a little, but this way we remove 25% of useless data, with 2 million ranges the savings are already about 2 MB).
- The sampling range in the main index is greatly reduced.
- The speed increases when searching for the desired IP in the database, since you need to compare one byte less (especially since this byte will be the same).
For example, you need to find IP 24.89.68.43, the following list of ranges will be selected from the database:
24.54.192.0
24.56.0.0
24.57.0.0
24.58.0.0
24.64.0.0
24.72.144.0
24.76.0.0
24.88.0.0
24.89.64.0
24.89.128.0
24.89.192.0
24.90.0.0
...
As you can see, all ranges have the same first byte (on average, there are 7-9 thousand ranges for each first byte). There will be several hundred such IPs in the sample. Therefore, checking the first byte in this case is a waste of time, it is the same for everyone.
Less data conversion
When searching for the required IP, there is no conversion from a binary string to an integer (as is done by all competitors, and often some arithmetic operations are then performed with these numbers).
IN Sypex Geo everything is as simplified as possible, just comparing two 3-byte strings in the same form in which they were read from the file - no conversions.
Simple data storage structures
Storing directories of cities and regions in the simplest form, numbers are stored in binary form, strings with zero characters at the end. This ensures maximum performance when retrieving data, as well as compact data storage. No JSON or XML, which takes a lot of time to parse.
Openness
The format was initially created with the expectation of openness and the ability for users to independently create database files in the Sypex Geo format. Accordingly, both specifications of the format itself and tools for creating database files will be published. They will be published after leaving the beta stage and fixing the format specifications, otherwise minor changes are possible.
Versatility
It is also possible to store any user data in the database, not just standard information about countries and cities.
We hope we helped you resolve your GEO file problem. If you don't know where you can download an application from our list, click on the link (this is the name of the program) - you will find more detailed information regarding where to download a secure installation version of the required application.
A visit to this page should help you answer these or similar questions specifically:
- How to open a file with a GEO extension?
- How to convert a GEO file to another format?
- What is the GEO file format extension?
- What programs support the GEO file?
If, after viewing the materials on this page, you still have not received a satisfactory answer to any of the questions presented above, this means that the information presented here about the GEO file is incomplete. Contact us using the contact form and write what information you did not find.
What else could cause problems?
There may be more reasons why you cannot open a GEO file (not just the lack of an appropriate application).
Firstly- the GEO file may not be linked correctly (incompatible) with installed application for its maintenance. In this case, you need to change this connection yourself. For this purpose, click right button mouse over the GEO file you want to edit, click the option "Open with" and then select the program you installed from the list. After this action, problems with opening the GEO file should completely disappear.
Secondly- the file you want to open may simply be damaged. In this case, it would be best to find a new version of it, or download it again from the same source (perhaps for some reason in the previous session the download of the GEO file did not finish and it could not be opened correctly).
Do you want to help?
If you have additional information about the GEO file extension, we will be grateful if you share it with users of our site. Use the form below and send us your information about the GEO file.
GEO file is corrupted
If after installation necessary program from the list, you still cannot open the file with the GEO extension, the reason may be that it is damaged. The solution may be to find a new copy of the GEO file you are about to open
GEO file extension is not associated with a corresponding application
In this case, the easiest way is to use the tools built into the operating system for connecting the GEO file with applications to support it. Double-click on the file you can't open - operating system will show a list of programs that are likely to work with your GEO file. Select one of them, or indicate on the disk the location where you installed one of the offers from our list. Windows should open the GEO file using a pre-installed program.
An entry relating to a GEO file in the "Registry" Windows systems" deleted or damaged
GEO file is infected with a virus
It may happen that computer virus filed under the GEO file. In this case, it will probably not be possible to open such a file. Download any good antivirus program and scan the GEO file. If antivirus program detects dangerous data, this may indicate a GEO file indication.
