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

TGA file extension

Targa Graphic

Raster Image Files

CPP file extension

C++ Source Code File

Developer Files

INI file extension

Windows Initialization File

Settings Files

RAR file extension

WinRAR Compressed Archive

Compressed Files

JS file extension

JavaScript File

Web Files

PNG file extension

Portable Network Graphic

Raster Image Files

VCF file extension

vCard File

Data Files

GAM file extension

Saved Game File

Game Files

DAT file extension

Data File

Data Files

7Z file extension

7-Zip Compressed File

Compressed Files

MIM file extension

Multi-Purpose Internet Mail Message File

Encoded Files

ROM file extension

N64 Game ROM File

Game Files

JAR file extension

Java Archive File

Executable Files

CFM file extension

ColdFusion Markup File

Web Files

PPS file extension

PowerPoint Slide Show

Data Files