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

CGI file extension

Common Gateway Interface Script

Executable Files

COM file extension

DOS Command File

Executable Files

CPL file extension

Windows Control Panel Item

System Files

DOC file extension

Microsoft Word Document

Text Files

DTD file extension

Document Type Definition File

Developer Files

EPS file extension

Encapsulated PostScript File

Vector Image Files

IBOOKS file extension

Multi-Touch iBook

Data Files

JSP file extension

Java Server Page

Web Files

MPG file extension

MPEG Video File

Video Files

PRF file extension

Outlook Profile File

Settings Files

RAR file extension

WinRAR Compressed Archive

Compressed Files

SLN file extension

Visual Studio Solution File

Developer Files

UUE file extension

Uuencoded File

Encoded Files

WPS file extension

Microsoft Works Word Processor Document

Text Files

3DS file extension

3D Studio Scene

3D Image Files