Help docs errata: solid archives can't be updated
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#892 Help docs errata: solid archives can't be updated
The 7-Zip 4.57 (stable) help documentation has the an errata in the section "Add to Archive Dialog Box".
The error is that it is now indeed possible to update existing solid archives. It appears that wasn't true when this section was written.
Text below:
Add to Archive Dialog Box
Solid Block size
Specifies the size of a solid block. You can also disable solid mode. In solid mode all files will be compressed as continuous data blocks.
Usually compressing to a solid archive improves the compression ratio. You can use this option only for 7z archives. ____With the current version of 7z, you can update existing archives only when solid mode is switched off and the existing archive is non-solid.____
I should clarify the above. With 7zip 4.57, you can add or remove solid blocks as a whole, but not parts of those blocks. You can see which block a file is in by examing the 'Block' column that shows up when you are in 'Details' view.
A correct statement to replace the underlined statement would be:
"As of version 4.57, it is possible to perform limited updates to solid mode archives. You can add new solid blocks, or remove whole existing solid blocks, but not individual pieces of those blocks. Use the Details view (View menu | Details) to enable the 'Block' column to show up on the right. You can then remove whole blocks by selecting and deleting all of their constituent pieces at the same time."