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

CPL file extension

Windows Control Panel Item

System Files

DB file extension

Database File

Database Files

DESKTHEMEPACK file extension

Windows 8 Desktop Theme Pack File

System Files

DRV file extension

Device Driver

System Files

FLA file extension

Adobe Flash Animation

Developer Files

HQX file extension

BinHex 4.0 Encoded File

Encoded Files

HTML file extension

Hypertext Markup Language File

Web Files

ICS file extension

iCalendar File

Misc Files

ISO file extension

Disc Image File

Disk Image Files

JS file extension

JavaScript File

Web Files

JSP file extension

Java Server Page

Web Files

PIF file extension

Program Information File

Executable Files

PSD file extension

Adobe Photoshop Document

Raster Image Files

SAV file extension

Saved Game

Game Files

VCF file extension

vCard File

Data Files