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

DMP file extension

Windows Memory Dump

System Files

DXF file extension

Drawing Exchange Format File

CAD Files

GED file extension

GEDCOM Genealogy Data File

Data Files

JAVA file extension

Java Source Code File

Developer Files

JSP file extension

Java Server Page

Web Files

M4A file extension

MPEG-4 Audio File

Audio Files

M4V file extension

iTunes Video File

Video Files

MIM file extension

Multi-Purpose Internet Mail Message File

Encoded Files

MOV file extension

Apple QuickTime Movie

Video Files

MP3 file extension

MP3 Audio File

Audio Files

MSG file extension

Outlook Mail Message

Text Files

SH file extension

Bash Shell Script

Developer Files

VCF file extension

vCard File

Data Files

WMA file extension

Windows Media Audio File

Audio Files

WSF file extension

Windows Script File

Executable Files