[Gmsh] Binary files

[Jeremiah Hall]

Dear Mr. Geuzaine and Mr. Remacle,

I am using gmsh as a postprocessor for fluids problems, and I find it to be
extremely useful.  I need to modify the data within each .pos file (1 view per
file), and have been using the ASCII format thus far by first converting from
binary to ASCII, then performing my operations.  However, to save time and
space I would like to use the binary file.  I read about the file format in the
manual, and looked directly at some of the files, and noticed that the binary
format contains a mixture of ASCII and binary characters.  My question is: what
is the best way to manipulate these files using C++?  I am relatively new to the
language, and I know how to open file streams for either ASCII or binary, but
not both.  Also, why is the header information in ASCII format?  Is there some
benefit that I am unaware of?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Jermeiah Hall