WHD Archive Extractor is a command line tool for the Amiga that scans a
folder tree for WHDLoad archives and extracts them using Amiga-native
tools.

It was written mainly for handling larger WHDLoad archive collections on
the Amiga itself. Extracting these archives on other platforms can
sometimes cause problems with Amiga file attributes or file names, so this
tool keeps the whole process on the Amiga using the native archive tools.

The program can scan through subdirectories, preserve the original folder
layout, and process large numbers of LHA and LZX archives in one run. It
was originally made to help manage my own WHDLoad folders, then released in
case it is useful to other people as well.

If you are looking for a way to download and extract WHDLoad archives
directly on the Amiga, my website below also contains WHDFetch and other
Workbench-friendly tools and source code:
https://www.madeforworkbench.com

WHAT'S NEW

This version adds a number of improvements aimed at larger runs
and repeat use:

- Skip-if-destination-exists mode for avoiding repeat extraction work
- Quieter and more script-friendly output modes
- Optional per-run summary file output
- Better handling when destination drawer preparation fails
- Optional custom drawer icon support for newly created drawers
- Test-only mode for checking archives without extracting them

FEATURES

- Scans input folders and subfolders for LHA and LZX archives
- Extracts archives using Amiga archive tools already installed in C:
- Preserves the subfolder structure from the source path
- Can test archives without extracting them
- Can skip archives whose destination drawer already exists
- Can reduce console output for use in scripts or batch runs
- Can write a simple summary file for the last run
- Optional support for applying custom drawer icons to newly created
  destination folders

REQUIREMENTS

WHDArchiveExtractor requires:

- LHA installed in C:
- UnLZX or LZX in C: if you want to process LZX archives

Usage:
  WHDArchiveExtractor <source_directory> <output_directory_path> [options]
  WHDArchiveExtractor <source_directory> -testarchivesonly [options]

Options:
  (All options are lowercase and start with a leading '-')
  -enablespacecheck             Check free space (20MB min)
                                before each extract.
  -testarchivesonly             Test archives only; do not extract.
  -skipifdestexists             Skip archive if target drawer exists.
  -quietskips                   Hide skip lines; keep heartbeat.
  -enablecustomicons            Apply custom icons to new drawers.
  -debug                        Write timestamped debug log.
  -output=script|normal|verbose Set output level.
  -writesummary                 Save run summary file.


NOTES

- LHA is required for the program to run.
- LZX archives need an LZX extractor in C: or they will be skipped.
- In normal extraction mode, the program preserves the source folder
  structure beneath the output path.
- In test-only mode, archives are checked but not unpacked.
- The skip-if-destination option is a practical shortcut. It checks whether
  the destination drawer already exists. It does not compare archive
  contents.
- Extraction speed will vary a lot depending on the Amiga and storage being
  used.  Exracting from a real hard drive to the same hard drive could be 
  painfully slow!


MORE TOOLS

For this and other Amiga utilities, including WHDFetch which can download
and extract WHDLoad archives directly on the Amiga, see:

https://www.madeforworkbench.com/

FEEDBACK

Feedback and suggestions are welcome via the author's contact details above
or through the project pages.

CHANGELOG:
[1.0.0] - 2023-04-28
- First release

[1.1.0] - 2024-03-12
- Added LZX archive support.
- Improved error handling.
- Existing target folders are now scanned for protected files and
  protection bits are cleared so files can be replaced if needed.

[1.1.1] - 2024-03-15
- Fixed typos and text alignment issues.

[1.2.0] - 2025-05-06
- Added proper support for both UnLZX 2.16 and LZX 1.21.
- Fixed misleading LZX support wording from earlier versions.
  - Thanks to Ed Brindley for reporting this.

[1.2.1] - 2025-05-10
- Fixed buffer overflow issues and a memory leak.
- Added DOS version cookie.

[2.0.0] - 2026-04-20
- Added source-only `-testarchivesonly` mode.
- Added `-skipifdestexists` for faster reruns.
- Added `-quietskips` to reduce skip output noise.
- Added `-output=script|normal|verbose`.
- Added `-writesummary` fixed summary report output.
- Added `New-[timestamp].txt` log for newly extracted archives.
- Added `test_errors-[timestamp].txt` log for failed archive tests.
- Added proactive destination drawer creation.
- Added optional custom drawer icon support with `-enablecustomicons`.

- Fixed rerun overwrite problems caused by protection reset command issues.
- Fixed false corrupt-archive reports on some reruns.
- Fixed LZX test command handling for LZX 1.21.
- Fixed test-mode wording so test runs no longer look like extraction runs.
- Fixed handling of unsupported LZX testing under UnLZX 2.16.
- Fixed incorrect `-enablespacecheck` option text in runtime output.

 PERMSSN    UID  GID    PACKED    SIZE  RATIO METHOD CRC     STAMP          NAME
---------- ----------- ------- ------- ------ ---------- ------------ -------------
[Amiga]                   3161    8112  39.0% -lh5- e302 Apr 21 11:02 readme.txt
[Amiga]                  26077   49820  52.3% -lh5- e043 Apr 21 11:30 WHDArchiveExtractor
---------- ----------- ------- ------- ------ ---------- ------------ -------------
 Total         2 files   29238   57932  50.5%            Apr 21 23:19