Hello, I am working on my own File Format and then parse it after opening the file... But I am having a couple of issues with the speed of the procedure so I would like to ask the following:

1.- Should I open the whole file and then parse it? Or should I open it part by part and parse it that way? Which would be the best way?
2.- Which will be the best way to save the file so it won't be so big? Right now I am saving it as ASCII, I think.
3.- Which would be the best way to attach strings? I read plenderj's string attachment procedure but something is wrong with it... Should I use an array of Bytes? If so... How can I do that?
4.- Which would be the best way to draw a picture on a form? I use the API set Pixel... Some would say BitBtl but since the File Format is of my own, how could I use it?

Thanks for your attention... Don't answer all questions if you can't, if you are able to help me with just one of them I will be very happy.