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

AI file extension

Adobe Illustrator File

Vector Image Files

ASP file extension

Active Server Page

Web Files

C file extension

C/C++ Source Code File

Developer Files

CPL file extension

Windows Control Panel Item

System Files

CRX file extension

Chrome Extension

Plugin Files

CSS file extension

Cascading Style Sheet

Web Files

DBF file extension

Database File

Database Files

FLV file extension

Flash Video File

Video Files

IFF file extension

Interchange File Format

Audio Files

JAVA file extension

Java Source Code File

Developer Files

SH file extension

Bash Shell Script

Developer Files

TMP file extension

Temporary File

Backup Files

VCD file extension

Virtual CD

Disk Image Files

XML file extension

XML File

Data Files