A binary data entry application file, with the extension .pen, is an alternative to distributing the entire suite of the data entry application files. It is a single binary file that contains all the information from your data entry application's dictionaries, forms, logic, message file, and question text. While this file is generated within the CSPro Designer, it cannot be read by the CSPro Designer. It is read by CSEntry, on either desktop or mobile devices.

Binary data entry application files provide security during a data entry operation. If you install a .pen file on your data entry operators' workstations, the operators cannot change the application, even if they have the full CSPro installed on their machines.

Binary data entry applications created in versions of CSPro prior to version 6.0 used the extension .enc, not .pen. These files cannot be read by CSEntry versions 6.0 or higher. However, .pen files are readable by CSEntry for several versions beyond the version that was used to create the .pen file: