Madghoot

Open source

7-Zip source code and licenses in Madghoot

Madghoot includes 7zz, the command-line version of 7-Zip, built from the official 7-Zip source code by Igor Pavlov. 7-Zip is free software, licensed mainly under the GNU LGPL 2.1 or later; this page has its license notices and explains how to get the exact source code Madghoot ships.

Updated

How Madghoot uses 7-Zip

7zz is a separate program inside the app (Madghoot.app/Contents/MacOS/7zz). Madghoot's own code isn't linked with 7-Zip's; it runs 7zz when a job needs it: password-protected RAR and 7Z archives, RAR archives with very large dictionaries, multi-part sets, Deflate64 zips, and creating encrypted 7Z archives. The BSD-licensed libarchive library handles everything else. Passwords are passed to 7zz privately, never on its command line, so other programs on your Mac can't read them.

Every format and which engine opens it is listed on the formats page. For working with 7z files in general, see 7-Zip for Mac.

7-Zip's license

7-Zip is copyright Igor Pavlov. According to its license file, different parts of it are under different licenses:

Part of 7-ZipLicense
Most of the codeGNU LGPL 2.1 or later
RAR decoderGNU LGPL 2.1 or later, with the unRAR restriction
LZFSE and ZSTD decodersBSD 3-clause
XXH64BSD 2-clause

The full text of 7-Zip's license and of the GNU LGPL 2.1 ships inside the app, under Settings › About › Acknowledgements.

The unRAR restriction

7-Zip's RAR decoder was developed using the source code of unRAR, by Alexander Roshal. Its license adds a restriction: “The unRAR sources cannot be used to re-create the RAR compression algorithm, which is proprietary.” It also says the code may not be used to develop a RAR (WinRAR) compatible archiver. This is one reason Madghoot opens RAR files but never creates them.

Getting the source code

You're entitled to the complete source code of the 7-Zip version included in Madghoot, under the terms of the LGPL. We will host it on this page for every Madghoot release. Until a download link is posted, and for at least three years after we last distribute a given version, you can ask for the source by emailing dribrahim83@icloud.com, and we'll send it at no charge. 7-Zip's own source is also available from 7-zip.org.

Other open-source components

Madghoot also includes these libraries. Their license texts ship in the app as well.

ComponentLicenseProject
libarchive BSD 2-clause (one file under a BSD 3-clause license from the University of California) libarchive.org
zstd BSD 3-clause github.com/facebook/zstd
lz4 BSD 2-clause github.com/lz4/lz4
xz (liblzma) 0BSD tukaani.org/xz

7-Zip, RAR and WinRAR are trademarks or product names of their respective owners. Madghoot is an independent app and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by any of them.

About 7zz

What is 7zz?
7zz is the name of 7-Zip's command-line program for macOS and Linux. The official Mac download from 7-zip.org contains it; there is no official 7-Zip app with windows and menus for the Mac. Madghoot bundles its own copy, built from 7-Zip's source code, and uses it as one of its two engines.
Do I need to install 7-Zip to use Madghoot?
No. Everything Madghoot needs is inside the app, including its copy of 7zz. You don't need Homebrew, Terminal or any other download.
Is Madghoot made by the 7-Zip developer?
No. Madghoot is an independent app. It uses the 7-Zip engine under 7-Zip's license, and it isn't affiliated with or endorsed by 7-Zip or its author, Igor Pavlov.