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

CPP file extension

C++ Source Code File

Developer Files

DESKTHEMEPACK file extension

Windows 8 Desktop Theme Pack File

System Files

DTD file extension

Document Type Definition File

Developer Files

GBR file extension

Gerber File

Data Files

GIF file extension

Graphical Interchange Format File

Raster Image Files

JAVA file extension

Java Source Code File

Developer Files

LOG file extension

Log File

Text Files

PDB file extension

Program Database

Database Files

PS file extension

PostScript File

Vector Image Files

RA file extension

Real Audio File

Audio Files

RPM file extension

Red Hat Package Manager File

Compressed Files

SLN file extension

Visual Studio Solution File

Developer Files

SVG file extension

Scalable Vector Graphics File

Vector Image Files

TGA file extension

Targa Graphic

Raster Image Files

WPD file extension

WordPerfect Document

Text Files