Common File Types

All of us are paralyzed without the computer. This gadget has come a long way since its inception. The cumbersome device is now compact and sleek. The world of computers is unique and dynamic and it has a distinct language. The computer lingo is spreading far and wide. If you use a computer only at work and you are not tech savvy then you should know what the common file types are. This is very fundamental in nature and almost everyone is aware about this.

If you have Windows based computer, managing files can be a task. You have a lot of data that needs to be stored in the form of files so you should be aware of the distinct file extensions. This concept is very ambiguous to many of us. You should be aware so that even if you download new software, you are able to function with ease and comfort.

We all use different types of files to save data and information. Scientifically a file type consists of characters (A-Z) and may be numeric. For example, the word document is a common file type in which you can store information. All the windows based computers have .ext files in which .ext denotes files extensions. The basic function of the extension is to tell the operating system the kind of file it is. So, it is safe to say that an extension helps in stating the kind of file it is.

The word extension should be understood in detail. If you are a using a computer regularly, then you will know what are disk files. These files have to be named in a particular manner so that the operating system can identify it. For example, filename.ext is the name of a file. So, you should know that this should not be confused as the device name. If you have MS-DOS installed in the computer, then the extension cannot exceed three characters. This should be kept in mind while naming the files. Some systems are not updated hence you may have to use only three characters while naming the file.

Another common type of file is the image or picture file. Pictures are stored in JPEG format, GIF format, PNG format, or TIFF format. There are many other formats that should be known so that you can compare the advantages and disadvantages. JPG images are opened by your default browser or by a graphics program. Even if you store pictures in GIF format, they are opened by the default browser or by a graphics program.

Below is a table that talks about some common file type extensions.

Extension	Type	Explanation
.aam	media file	MacroMedia Shockwave
.asp	web page	active server page – used to code Web pages. A Microsoft code language.
.avi	video clip	Audio/Video Interleaved – movie clip – open with your media player, IE, or Firefox
.bak	backup file	Used by many applications – often created automatically
.bat	application	DOS batch file – run by double-clicking – edit with Notepad
.bmp	graphic file	Microsoft bitmap – open in MS Paint or graphics program
.cab	archive	Microsoft installation archive (cabinet file) – similar to .zip archive
.cfg		Configuration file
.cgi		Common Gateway Interface – used to exchange information with a server (often used with Perl)
.chk		Data recovered after running Windows Checkdisk
.css	style sheet	plain text file containing web page style preferences
.csv	data	Comma Separated Value file – a way of presenting tabular data in a text file – usually viewed in MS Excel.
.dat	data file	Used by several applications. Cannot be opened directly.
.dcr	media file	Macromedia Shockwave movie
.dir	media file	Macromedia Director file – provides animation and interactivity
.dll	dynamic link library	Used by Windows to provide services to applications
.doc	document	Microsoft Word file
.dot	template	Microsoft Word template
.dtd	text	document type definition
.exe	application	self-extracting or executable file – run by double-clicking
.faq	data file	Frequently Asked Questions – almost always a text/document file
.fla	media	Macromedia Flash animation file – requires Shockwave
.fnt		Font file
.gif	image	graphic in GIF format – open in web browser or graphics program
.gz	application	compressed archive file created by Gzip in the UNIX operating system
.hqx	archive	Compressed Macintosh file archive created by Binhex
.htm	text file	hypertext document (same as .html) – open in a web browser – edit in text editor
.ico	Windows icon	Open with an icon editor
.ini		Initialisation file
.jar	Java	Java compressed archive file
.jav	Java	cross platform programming language used to create complex interactive forms and special effects
.jpg	image	Graphic in JPEG format (Joint Photographic Experts Group) View with web browser or image editing program
.js	JavaScript	part of Web page used to create interactive effects such as mouse roll-overs and pop-up boxes
.jso		Java server page
.kbd	data file	Keyboard layout data
.log	data file	Created by many applications – usually a text file – edit in any text editor
.mid	audio	audio file in MIDI format
.mov	video	QuickTime movie – view using IE or FireFox
.mp3	audio	Audio file in MP3 format
.mpg	movie	Video movie in MPEG format (Motion Picture Experts Group)
.old		Backup file
.pdf	application	Portable Document Format – requires Adobe Acrobat reader
.pl	application	Perl source file – text file, editable in any text editor
.png	image	graphic in Portable Network Graphics format – can work on all platforms
.ppt	application	Microsoft PowerPoint file – used for creating slides and overhead presentations
.pub		Microsoft Publisher page template file
.ram	audio	Real Audio file – open in browser with RealAudio plug-in
.rtf	application	Rich Text Format - word-processor file with formatting codes
.scr	screen saver
.sea	application	Self-extracting archive - Apple-Mac – requires Stuffit
.sig	signature	Appended to outgoing email messages – editable in text editor
.swf	media	Macromedia Shockwave Flash Movie
.sys		DOS system file – device driver or hardware configuration info
.tar	application	file archive created in the Unix operating system
.tar.gz	application	.tar archive compressed by Gzip
.tif	image	Tagged Image File format – graphic file – editable in graphics program
.tmp		temporary file – used by many programs
.txt	text	contains only ASCII code – also called ‘text file’ – editable in any text editor
.wav	audio	Sound file in Waveform format
.wsz	graphics	Winamp skin – visual interface for audio control board
.xls	application	Microsoft Excel worksheet file
.xml	Web page	extensible markup language – a plain text file for web pages
.zip	application	compressed file – open with WinZip

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-By Dominic

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