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

CBR file extension

Comic Book RAR Archive

Compressed Files

CPP file extension

C++ Source Code File

Developer Files

DEM file extension

Video Game Demo File

Game Files

DXF file extension

Drawing Exchange Format File

CAD Files

GBR file extension

Gerber File

Data Files

MOV file extension

Apple QuickTime Movie

Video Files

MP4 file extension

MPEG-4 Video File

Video Files

MPA file extension

MPEG-2 Audio File

Audio Files

PY file extension

Python Script

Developer Files

RM file extension

Real Media File

Video Files

RPM file extension

Red Hat Package Manager File

Compressed Files

SH file extension

Bash Shell Script

Developer Files

SWF file extension

Shockwave Flash Movie

Video Files

VCXPROJ file extension

Visual C++ Project

Developer Files

ZIPX file extension

Extended Zip File

Compressed Files