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

ASF file extension

Advanced Systems Format File

Video Files

BIN file extension

Binary Disc Image

Disk Image Files

COM file extension

DOS Command File

Executable Files

CS file extension

Visual C# Source Code File

Developer Files

FON file extension

Generic Font File

Font Files

H file extension

C/C++/Objective-C Header File

Developer Files

PIF file extension

Program Information File

Executable Files

PPS file extension

PowerPoint Slide Show

Data Files

RPM file extension

Red Hat Package Manager File

Compressed Files

SVG file extension

Scalable Vector Graphics File

Vector Image Files

SYS file extension

Windows System File

System Files

TMP file extension

Temporary File

Backup Files

VB file extension

VBScript File

Executable Files

WSF file extension

Windows Script File

Executable Files

ZIP file extension

Zipped File

Compressed Files