File extensions – definition and basic information


File extensions are the integral parts of the files that are on each computer. Often, when working on a computer, we encounter a wide range of files, such as docx, ppt, part, mp3 or rmvb. We realize that they are there – but we often do not know what they are for on our computer.

File extension, also known as the filename extension is a suffix added to the name of a computer file, usually consisting of a number of characters placed after the last dot in the filename, which gives us information about its coding. In other words a file extension is a file format. It allows the operating system (e.g. Windows) to recognize what program it should try to open the file.

In the table below you will find a random selection of popular file extensions.


File extension The full name of the file Category

DB file extension

Database File

Database Files

DTD file extension

Document Type Definition File

Developer Files

FLA file extension

Adobe Flash Animation

Developer Files

GBR file extension

Gerber File

Data Files

IBOOKS file extension

Multi-Touch iBook

Data Files

ISO file extension

Disc Image File

Disk Image Files

PART file extension

Partially Downloaded File

Misc Files

PDF file extension

Portable Document Format File

Layout Files

PSPIMAGE file extension

PaintShop Pro Image

Raster Image Files

RA file extension

Real Audio File

Audio Files

SITX file extension

StuffIt X Archive

Compressed Files

TEX file extension

LaTeX Source Document

Text Files

TGA file extension

Targa Graphic

Raster Image Files

UUE file extension

Uuencoded File

Encoded Files

VCXPROJ file extension

Visual C++ Project

Developer Files