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

ACCDB file extension

Access 2007 Database File

Database Files

ASX file extension

Microsoft ASF Redirector File

Video Files

CBR file extension

Comic Book RAR Archive

Compressed Files

CPL file extension

Windows Control Panel Item

System Files

DEB file extension

Debian Software Package

Compressed Files

JAR file extension

Java Archive File

Executable Files

JSP file extension

Java Server Page

Web Files

LUA file extension

Lua Source File

Developer Files

PPT file extension

PowerPoint Presentation

Data Files

PRF file extension

Outlook Profile File

Settings Files

PSPIMAGE file extension

PaintShop Pro Image

Raster Image Files

SH file extension

Bash Shell Script

Developer Files

SVG file extension

Scalable Vector Graphics File

Vector Image Files

TMP file extension

Temporary File

Backup Files

XHTML file extension

Extensible Hypertext Markup Language File

Web Files