Overview
Introduction
Hex output from the XML to BXML Converter isn't meant to be read directly.
This tool decodes it back into readable XML.
What Is BXML to XML Converter?
A decoder for this site's own compact binary XML format: it reads the type-length-value encoded bytes and reconstructs the original node tree.
It then pretty-prints the result as XML.
How BXML to XML Converter Works
The hex string is converted to raw bytes, then read node by node: each node's type byte determines how the following length-prefixed fields are interpreted, a tag name, attributes, and children for elements, just text for everything else.
This rebuilds the original tree exactly, which is then pretty-printed.
When To Use BXML to XML Converter
Use it to check what an XML to BXML Converter round trip actually produced.
It's also useful for decoding BXML hex generated earlier.
Often used alongside XML to BXML Converter, Bencode to XML Converter and BSON to XML Converter.
Features
Advantages
- Exact inverse of the XML to BXML Converter, nothing is lost in the round trip.
- Runs entirely client-side.
- Pretty-prints the reconstructed document, so it's immediately readable.
Limitations
- Only decodes hex produced by this site's own BXML encoding, not any other binary XML format.
- A single corrupted or edited byte in the hex can make the rest of the data unreadable.
Examples
Best Practices & Notes
Best Practices
- Paste hex exactly as produced by the XML to BXML Converter, including or excluding the spaces between byte pairs both work.
- Keep a copy of the original hex if you plan to decode it more than once.
- Use XML to BXML Converter first if you don't already have hex to decode.
Developer Notes
Decoding lives in `bxml-core.ts`'s `bxmlToXml`, reading the same TLV structure `xmlToBxml` writes, field for field.
BXML to XML Converter Use Cases
- Verifying an XML to BXML Converter round trip
- Decoding previously generated BXML hex back into readable XML
- Checking that a saved BXML hex value still decodes correctly after being copied or stored
Common Mistakes
- Pasting hex from a different encoding (like the Base64 or BSON tools), this decoder only understands this site's own BXML byte layout.
- Truncating the hex when copying it, which produces a "truncated or corrupted" error.
Tips
- Use XML to BXML Converter to produce hex from XML in the first place.
- Check the FAQ above if the output doesn't look like what you expected.