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

BIN file extension

Binary Disc Image

Disk Image Files

MP4 file extension

MPEG-4 Video File

Video Files

JAVA file extension

Java Source Code File

Developer Files

WPS file extension

Microsoft Works Word Processor Document

Text Files

SAV file extension

Saved Game

Game Files

RPM file extension

Red Hat Package Manager File

Compressed Files

GPX file extension

GPS Exchange File

GIS Files

DOC# file extension

Microsoft Word Document

Text Files

SLN file extension

Visual Studio Solution File

Developer Files

FLV file extension

Flash Video File

Video Files

PDB file extension

Program Database

Database Files

KML file extension

Keyhole Markup Language File

GIS Files

PRF file extension

Outlook Profile File

Settings Files

7Z file extension

7-Zip Compressed File

Compressed Files

CAB file extension

Windows Cabinet File

System Files