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

AI file extension

Adobe Illustrator File

Vector Image Files

DBF file extension

Database File

Database Files

DEB file extension

Debian Software Package

Compressed Files

DRV file extension

Device Driver

System Files

EPS file extension

Encapsulated PostScript File

Vector Image Files

FNT file extension

Windows Font File

Font Files

GZ file extension

Gnu Zipped Archive

Compressed Files

INI file extension

Windows Initialization File

Settings Files

JAVA file extension

Java Source Code File

Developer Files

RSS file extension

Rich Site Summary

Web Files

TARGZ file extension

Compressed Tarball File

Compressed Files

TIF file extension

Tagged Image File

Raster Image Files

VCF file extension

vCard File

Data Files

VOB file extension

DVD Video Object File

Video Files

WPS file extension

Microsoft Works Word Processor Document

Text Files