This is a list of file format

File format

A file format is a particular way that information is encoded for storage in a computer file.Since a disk drive, or indeed any computer storage, can store only bits, the computer must have some way of converting information to 0s and 1s and vice-versa. There are different kinds of formats for...

s organized by type, as can be found on computer

Computer

A computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...

s. Filename extension

Filename extension

A filename extension is a suffix to the name of a computer file applied to indicate the encoding of its contents or usage....

s are usually noted in parentheses if they differ from the format name or abbreviation. In theory, using the basic Latin alphabet (A–Z) and a three character extension, the number of combinations amounts to 17,576 (26³). If other acceptable characters are included, the maximum number of combinations is 195,112 (26+31)³. Unix-like

Unix-like

A Unix-like operating system is one that behaves in a manner similar to a Unix system, while not necessarily conforming to or being certified to any version of the Single UNIX Specification....

 systems don't have extensions, and Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...

 NT

Windows NT

Windows NT is a family of operating systems produced by Microsoft, the first version of which was released in July 1993. It was a powerful high-level-language-based, processor-independent, multiprocessing, multiuser operating system with features comparable to Unix. It was intended to complement...

, 95

Windows 95

Windows 95 is a consumer-oriented graphical user interface-based operating system. It was released on August 24, 1995 by Microsoft, and was a significant progression from the company's previous Windows products...

, 98

Windows 98

Windows 98 is a graphical operating system by Microsoft. It is the second major release in the Windows 9x line of operating systems. It was released to manufacturing on 15 May 1998 and to retail on 25 June 1998. Windows 98 is the successor to Windows 95. Like its predecessor, it is a hybrid...

, and Me

Windows Me

Windows Millennium Edition, or Windows Me , is a graphical operating system released on September 14, 2000 by Microsoft, and was the last operating system released in the Windows 9x series. Support for Windows Me ended on July 11, 2006....

 don't have a three character limit on extensions for 32-bit

32-bit

The range of integer values that can be stored in 32 bits is 0 through 4,294,967,295. Hence, a processor with 32-bit memory addresses can directly access 4 GB of byte-addressable memory....

 or 64-bit

64-bit

64-bit is a word size that defines certain classes of computer architecture, buses, memory and CPUs, and by extension the software that runs on them. 64-bit CPUs have existed in supercomputers since the 1970s and in RISC-based workstations and servers since the early 1990s...

 applications on file system

File system

A file system is a means to organize data expected to be retained after a program terminates by providing procedures to store, retrieve and update data, as well as manage the available space on the device which contain it. A file system organizes data in an efficient manner and is tuned to the...

s other than pre-Windows 95/Windows NT 3.5 versions of the FAT

File Allocation Table

File Allocation Table is a computer file system architecture now widely used on many computer systems and most memory cards, such as those used with digital cameras. FAT file systems are commonly found on floppy disks, flash memory cards, digital cameras, and many other portable devices because of...

 file system, so some file system types are given extensions longer than three characters.

Archive and compressed

• .?Q? – files compressed by the SQ program
  SQ (program)
  SQ was a program used in the early 1980s on both DOS and CP/M computer systems to compress files so they use less space. Files compressed by SQ are identified by changing the middle initial of the extension to "Q", so that text files ended with the extension .TQT, executable files ended with the...
  
  .
• 7z
  7z
  7z is a compressed archive file format that supports several different data compression, encryption and pre-processing algorithms. The 7z format initially appeared as implemented by the 7-Zip archiver. The 7-Zip program is publicly available under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public...
  
   – 7-Zip compressed file
• AAC- Advanced Audio Coding
• ace
  ACE (file format)
  In computing, ACE is a proprietary data compression archive file format developed by Marcel Lemke, and later bought by e-merge GmbH. The peak of its popularity was 1999—2001, when it provided slightly better compression rates than RAR, which has since become more popular.-WinAce:WinAce, maintained...
  
   – ACE compressed file
• ALZ – ALZip
  ALZip
  ALZip is an archive and compression utility from ESTsoft for Microsoft Windows.- History :Originally ALZip was developed in 1999 as an internal application at the South Korean software company ESTsoft in response to employee frustration with using the English interface in WinZip.The Korean...
  
   compressed file
• APK
  APK (file format)
  Android application package file is the file format used to distribute and install application software and middleware onto the Google's Android operating system. To make an APK file, a program for Android is first compiled, and then all of its parts are packaged into one file...
  
   - Applications installable on Android
• AT3 – Sony's UMD Data compression
• .bke – BackupEarth.com Data compression
• ARC
• ARJ
  ARJ
  ARJ is a software tool designed by Robert K. Jung for creating high-efficiency compressed file archives. ARJ is currently on version 2.85 for DOS and 3.15 for Windows and supports 16-bit and 32-bit Intel architectures.ARJ was one of two mainstream archivers for DOS and Windows during early and...
  
   – ARJ compressed file
• BA – Scifer Archive (.ba), Scifer External Archive Type
• big – Special file compression format used by Electronic Arts for compressing the data for many of EA's games
• BIK
  Bink video
  Bink is a proprietary video file format developed by RAD Game Tools and used primarily in computer games. It has been used in many games for Windows, Mac OS, Xbox 360, Xbox, GameCube, Wii, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, and Sony PSP...
  
   (.bik) – Bink Video file. A video compression system developed by RAD Game Tools
• BKF (.bkf) – Microsoft backup created by NTBACKUP.EXE
  NTBackup
  NTBackup is the built-in backup application introduced in Windows NT around 1997 and part of all subsequent versions up to and including Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. It uses a proprietary backup format to back up files. Files can be backed up to tape, ZIP drives, floppy...
  
  
• bzip2
  Bzip2
  bzip2 is a free and open source implementation of the Burrows–Wheeler algorithm. It is developed and maintained by Julian Seward. Seward made the first public release of bzip2, version 0.15, in July 1996.-Compression efficiency:...
  
   – (.bz2)
• bmp – (paint)
• c4 – JEDMICS
  JEDMICS
  JEDMICS is the Joint Engineering Data Management Information and Control System. JEDMICS is a DoD initiative for the management and control of engineering drawings and related text in a standard repository...
  
   image files, a DOD system
• cab
  Cabinet (file format)
  In computing, CAB is the Microsoft Windows native compressed archive format. It supports compression and digital signing, and is used in a variety of Microsoft installation engines: Setup API, Device Installer, AdvPack and Windows Installer.Though Cabinet was originally called Diamond, its .CAB...
  
   – Microsoft Cabinet
• cals – JEDMICS
  JEDMICS
  JEDMICS is the Joint Engineering Data Management Information and Control System. JEDMICS is a DoD initiative for the management and control of engineering drawings and related text in a standard repository...
  
   image files, a DOD system
• cpt/sea – Compact Pro
  Compact Pro
  Compact Pro is a software data compression utility for archiving and compressing files on the Apple Macintosh platform. It was a major competitor to StuffIt in the early 1990s, producing smaller archives in less time, as well as being distributed via shareware which greatly helped its popularity...
  
   (Macintosh)
• DAA
  Direct Access Archive
  Direct Access Archive, or DAA, is a proprietary file format developed by PowerISO Computing for disk image files. The format supports features such as compression, password protection, and splitting to multiple volumes...
  
   – Closed-format, Windows
  Microsoft Windows
  Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
  
  -only compressed disk image
• deb
  Deb (file format)
  deb is the extension of the Debian software package format and the most often used name for such binary packages. Like the "Deb" part of the term Debian, it originates from the name of Debra, erstwhile girlfriend and now ex-wife of Debian's founder Ian Murdock.Debian packages are also used in...
  
   – Debian Linux install package
• DMG – an Apple compressed/encrypted format
• EEA – An encrypted CAB, ostensibly for protecting email attachments
• .egg – Alzip Egg Edition compressed file
• EGT (.egt) – EGT Universal Document also used to create compressed cabinet files replaces .ecab
• ECAB (.ECAB, .ezip) – EGT Compressed Folder used in advanced systems to compress entire system folders, replaced by EGT Universal Document
• ESS (.ess) – EGT SmartSense File, detects files compressed using the EGT compression system.
• GHO (.gho, .ghs) – Norton Ghost
• gzip
  Gzip
  Gzip is any of several software applications used for file compression and decompression. The term usually refers to the GNU Project's implementation, "gzip" standing for GNU zip. It is based on the DEFLATE algorithm, which is a combination of Lempel-Ziv and Huffman coding...
  
   (.gz) – Compressed file
• IPG (.ipg) – Format in which Apple Inc. packages their iPod games. can be extracted through Winrar
  WinRAR
  WinRAR is a shareware file archiver and data compression utility developed by Eugene Roshal, and first released in autumn of 1993. It is one of the few applications that is able to create RAR archives natively, because the encoding method is held to be proprietary.-Developer:The current developer...
  
  
• jar
  JAR (file format)
  In software, JAR is an archive file format typically used to aggregate many Java class files and associated metadata and resources into one file to distribute application software or libraries on the Java platform.JAR files are built on the ZIP file format and have the .jar file extension...
  
   – ZIP file with manifest for use with Java
  Java (programming language)
  Java is a programming language originally developed by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems and released in 1995 as a core component of Sun Microsystems' Java platform. The language derives much of its syntax from C and C++ but has a simpler object model and fewer low-level facilities...
  
   applications.
• LBR
  LBR (file format)
  The .LBR file format was an archive file format used on CP/M and DOS operating systems during the early 1980s. .LBR files were created by the LU program; later programs like NULU arrived for .LBR creation, and many tools such as LT and QL were capable of extracting from .LBR archives...
  
   – Library file
• LQR
  LBR (file format)
  The .LBR file format was an archive file format used on CP/M and DOS operating systems during the early 1980s. .LBR files were created by the LU program; later programs like NULU arrived for .LBR creation, and many tools such as LT and QL were capable of extracting from .LBR archives...
  
   – LBR Library file compressed by the SQ program
  SQ (program)
  SQ was a program used in the early 1980s on both DOS and CP/M computer systems to compress files so they use less space. Files compressed by SQ are identified by changing the middle initial of the extension to "Q", so that text files ended with the extension .TQT, executable files ended with the...
  
  .
• LHA
  LHA (file format)
  LHA is a freeware compression utility and associated file format. It was created in 1988 by , and originally named LHarc. A complete rewrite of LHarc, tentatively named LHx, was eventually released as LH. It was then renamed to LHA to avoid conflicting with the then-new MS-DOS 5.0 LH command...
  
   (.lzh) – Lempel, Ziv, Huffman
• lzo
  LZO
  Lempel-Ziv-Oberhumer is a lossless data compression algorithm that is focused on decompression speed.- Design :The LZO library implements a number of algorithms with the following characteristics:...
  
  
• lzma
  LZMA
  The Lempel–Ziv–Markov chain algorithm is an algorithm used to perform data compression. It has been under development since 1998 and was first used in the 7z format of the 7-Zip archiver...
  
  
• LZX (algorithm)
  LZX (algorithm)
  LZX is the name of an LZ77 family compression algorithm. It is also the name of a file archiver with the same name. Both were invented by Jonathan Forbes and Tomi Poutanen.-Amiga LZX:...
  
  
• MBRWizard
  MBRwizard
  MBRWizard is a Master Boot Record management application for x86 and x86-64 based computers. As the use of disk imaging applications for backup and operating system deployment began to increase, as well as many users beginning to experiment with dual-booting Linux on existing Windows machines,...
  
   archive (.mbw)
• MPQ
  MPQ
  MPQ , is an archiving file format used in several of Blizzard Entertainment's games....
  
   Archives (.mpq) – Used by Blizzard
  Blizzard
  A blizzard is a severe snowstorm characterized by strong winds. By definition, the difference between blizzard and a snowstorm is the strength of the wind. To be a blizzard, a snow storm must have winds in excess of with blowing or drifting snow which reduces visibility to 400 meters or ¼ mile or...
  
   games
• MacBinary
  MacBinary
  Due to the metadata-rich nature of the Macintosh Hierarchical File System, transferring Mac OS files to platforms that do not support HFS can be problematic. MacBinary was developed as a means of preserving this structure without sacrificing portability. It combines the data and resource forks...
  
   (.bin)
• NTH (.nth) – Nokia Theme Used by Nokia
  Nokia
  Nokia Corporation is a Finnish multinational communications corporation that is headquartered in Keilaniemi, Espoo, a city neighbouring Finland's capital Helsinki...
  
   Series 40 Cellphones
• PAK – Enhanced type of .ARC archive
• Parchive
  Parchive
  Parchive is an open source software project that emerged in 2001 to develop a parity file format, as conceived by Tobias Rieper and Stefan Wehlus...
  
   (.par, .par2)
• Quake 3 archive (.pk3) – (See note on Doom³)
• Doom³ archive (.pk4) – (Opens similarly to a zip
  ZIP (file format)
  Zip is a file format used for data compression and archiving. A zip file contains one or more files that have been compressed, to reduce file size, or stored as is...
  
   archive.)
• RAR Rar Archive (.rar) – for multiple file archive (rar to .r01-.r99 to s01 and so on)
• SEN Scifer Archive (.sen) – Scifer Internal Archive Type
• sit
  StuffIt
  StuffIt is a family of computer software utilities for archiving and compressing files on the Macintosh and Microsoft Windows platforms: it was originally produced for the Macintosh. An old version for Linux and Sun Solaris 2.7 or later is also available...
  
  /sitx – StuffIt (Macintosh)
• tar
  Tar (file format)
  In computing, tar is both a file format and the name of a program used to handle such files...
  
  
• .tar.gz
  Gzip
  Gzip is any of several software applications used for file compression and decompression. The term usually refers to the GNU Project's implementation, "gzip" standing for GNU zip. It is based on the DEFLATE algorithm, which is a combination of Lempel-Ziv and Huffman coding...
  
  , .tgz – gzipped tar file
• TB (.tb) – Tabbery Virtual Desktop Tab file
• TIB (.tib) – Acronis True Image
  Acronis True Image
  Acronis True Image is disk imaging software, developed by Acronis, that creates backups and recovers PC systems. The software allows a user to create an image of a disk while it is running Microsoft Windows or offline by booting from CD/DVD, USB flash drives, PXE, or other bootable media...
  
   backup
• uha – Ultra High Archive Compression
• VIV – Archive format used to compress data for several video games, including Need For Speed: High Stakes
  Need for Speed: High Stakes
  Need for Speed: High Stakes, released as Need for Speed: Road Challenge in Europe and Brazil and Over Drivin' IV in Japan, is a 1999 racing video game, developed by Electronic Arts Canada and published by Electronic Arts...
  
  .
• VOL – unknown archive
• VSA – Altiris
  Altiris
  Altiris Inc. is a subsidiary of Symantec specializing in service-oriented management software which allows organizations to manage IT assets. They also provide software for web services, security, and systems management products. Established in 1998, Altiris is headquartered in Lindon, Utah, United...
  
   Virtual Software Archive
• WAX – Wavexpress - A ZIP alternative optimized for packages containing video, allowing multiple packaged files to be all-or-none delivered with near-instantaneous unpacking via NTFS file system manipulation.
• Z – Unix
  Unix
  Unix is a multitasking, multi-user computer operating system originally developed in 1969 by a group of AT&T employees at Bell Labs, including Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, Brian Kernighan, Douglas McIlroy, and Joe Ossanna...
  
   compress
  Compress
  Compress is a UNIX compression program based on the LZC compression method, which is an LZW implementation using variable size pointers as in LZ78.- Description of program :Files compressed by compress are typically given the extension .Z...
  
   file
• zoo
  Zoo (file format)
  zoo is a data compression program and format developed by Rahul Dhesi in the mid 1980s. The format is based on the LZW compression algorithm and compressed files are identified by the .zoo file extension. It is no longer widely used. Program source code was originally published on the...
  
  
• zip
  ZIP (file format)
  Zip is a file format used for data compression and archiving. A zip file contains one or more files that have been compressed, to reduce file size, or stored as is...
  
  

Encryption and encrypted

• GXK – Galaxkey - An Encryption platform optimized for authorized, private and confidential email communication containing formatted text and attachments, allowing multiple packaged files over current email platforms. Works on windows 32/64 and in 2012 will support Linux, iOS, Mac, Windows 8 and more.

Physical recordable media archiving

• ISO
  ISO image
  An ISO image is an archive file of an optical disc, composed of the data contents of every written sector of an optical disc, including the optical disc file system...
  
   – The generic file format for most optical media, including CD-ROM
  CD-ROM
  A CD-ROM is a pre-pressed compact disc that contains data accessible to, but not writable by, a computer for data storage and music playback. The 1985 “Yellow Book” standard developed by Sony and Philips adapted the format to hold any form of binary data....
  
  , DVD-ROM, Blu-ray Disc
  Blu-ray Disc
  Blu-ray Disc is an optical disc storage medium designed to supersede the DVD format. The plastic disc is 120 mm in diameter and 1.2 mm thick, the same size as DVDs and CDs. Blu-ray Discs contain 25 GB per layer, with dual layer discs being the norm for feature-length video discs...
  
  , HD DVD
  HD DVD
  HD DVD is a discontinued high-density optical disc format for storing data and high-definition video.Supported principally by Toshiba, HD DVD was envisioned to be the successor to the standard DVD format...
  
   and UMD
  Universal Media Disc
  The Universal Media Disc is an optical disc medium developed by Sony for use on their PlayStation Portable handheld gaming and multimedia platform...
  
  . ISO images indicate write directives, while .bin files that usually accompany such files contain the actual data.
• NRG
  NRG (file format)
  A .nrg file is a proprietary CD image file format used by Nero Burning ROM, a utility suite made by Nero AG, to create and burn ISO 9660 CD images.Other than Nero Burning ROM, a variety of software titles can use these image files...
  
   – The proprietary optical media archive format used by Nero
  Nero AG
  Nero is a global computer software company headquartered in Karlsbad, Germany. It is perhaps most well-known for its burning software, Nero Burning ROM.-History:The company was founded as Ahead Software GmbH in 1995 by Richard Lesser....
  
   applications.
• IMG – For archiving MS-DOS formatted floppy disks.
• ADF – Amiga Disk Format, for archiving Amiga
  Amiga
  The Amiga is a family of personal computers that was sold by Commodore in the 1980s and 1990s. The first model was launched in 1985 as a high-end home computer and became popular for its graphical, audio and multi-tasking abilities...
  
   floppy disks
• ADZ – The GZip-compressed version of ADF.
• DMS – Disk Masher System
  Disk Masher System
  The Disk Masher System was an often used method on Amiga, to create a compressed image of a disk . The disk is read block-by-block, and thus its data structure is maintained...
  
  , a disk-archiving system native to the Amiga.
• DSK – For archiving floppy disks from a number of other platforms, including the ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC
  Amstrad CPC
  The Amstrad CPC is a series of 8-bit home computers produced by Amstrad between 1984 and 1990. It was designed to compete in the mid-1980s home computer market dominated by the Commodore 64 and the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, where it successfully established itself primarily in the United Kingdom,...
  
  .
• D64 – An archive of a Commodore 64
  Commodore 64
  The Commodore 64 is an 8-bit home computer introduced by Commodore International in January 1982.Volume production started in the spring of 1982, with machines being released on to the market in August at a price of US$595...
  
   floppy disk.
• SDI
  System Deployment Image
  A System Deployment Image is a file format used primarily with Microsoft products to contain an arbitrary disk image, including boot sector information.- Description :...
  
   – System Deployment Image, used for archiving and providing "virtual disk" functionality.
• MDS
  MDS file
  An MDS file is an optional media descriptor file that can be generated when creating a disc image from a CD or DVD. The format is a binary file with the magic number "MEDIA DESCRIPTOR" appearing in the beginning of the file...
  
   – DAEMON tools
  Daemon Tools
  Daemon Tools is a disk image emulator and optical disc authoring program for Microsoft Windows. Daemon Tools was originally a furtherance in the development of another program, Generic SafeDisc emulator, and incorporated all of its features. The program claims to be able to defeat most copy...
  
   native disc image file format used for making images from optical CD-ROM
  CD-ROM
  A CD-ROM is a pre-pressed compact disc that contains data accessible to, but not writable by, a computer for data storage and music playback. The 1985 “Yellow Book” standard developed by Sony and Philips adapted the format to hold any form of binary data....
  
  , DVD-ROM, HD DVD
  HD DVD
  HD DVD is a discontinued high-density optical disc format for storing data and high-definition video.Supported principally by Toshiba, HD DVD was envisioned to be the successor to the standard DVD format...
  
   or Blu-ray Disc
  Blu-ray Disc
  Blu-ray Disc is an optical disc storage medium designed to supersede the DVD format. The plastic disc is 120 mm in diameter and 1.2 mm thick, the same size as DVDs and CDs. Blu-ray Discs contain 25 GB per layer, with dual layer discs being the norm for feature-length video discs...
  
  . It comes together with MDF file and can be mounted with DAEMON Tools or Alcohol 120% software.
• MDX – New DAEMON Tools
  Daemon Tools
  Daemon Tools is a disk image emulator and optical disc authoring program for Microsoft Windows. Daemon Tools was originally a furtherance in the development of another program, Generic SafeDisc emulator, and incorporated all of its features. The program claims to be able to defeat most copy...
  
   file format that allows to get one MDX disc image file instead of two (MDF and MDS).
• DMG
  Apple Disk Image
  Apple Disk Image is a proprietary disk image format commonly used with the Mac OS X operating system. The format allows secure password protection as well as file compression and hence serves both security and file distribution functions; it is most commonly used to distribute software over the...
  
   – Macintosh disk image files

(MPEG-1 is found in a .DAT file on a video CD.)

• CDI
  DiscJuggler
  DiscJuggler is a professional CD/DVD recording software program, able to duplicate multiple CDs at once with its ability to simultaneously drive multiple CD recorders and replicate virtually any existing standard CD...
  
   - DiscJuggler image file
• CUE
  CDRWIN
  CDRWIN is a CD/DVD burning software for Microsoft Windows developed by Golden Hawk Technology company.Once popular, CDRWIN's usage has diminished due to the bundling of limited versions of other software packages, such as Nero Burning ROM and Roxio Easy CD Creator, with new computers and optical...
  
   - CDRWrite CUE image file
• CIF - Easy CD Creator .cif format
• C2D - Roxio / WinOnCD .c2d format
• DAA
  PowerISO
  PowerISO is an application used to create, open, mount / emulate, compress, encrypt, and otherwise manipulate CD / DVD image files. It is most commonly known for its proprietary DAA disc image format. Other supported formats include ISO, BIN, NRG, and CDI. PowerISO is able to modify all supported...
  
   - PowerISO .daa format
• CCD,SUB,IMG
  CloneCD
  CloneCD is proprietary optical disc authoring software that makes exact, 1:1 copies of music and data CDs and DVDs, regardless of any Digital Rights Management restrictions. It was originally written by Oliver Kastl and offered by Swiss company Elaborate Bytes, but due to changes in European...
  
   - CloneCD image file
• B6T
  BlindWrite
  BlindWrite, the successor to BlindRead, is a computer program that writes to recordable CDs. The Blindread software, which reads CDs and writes CD image files, has been discontinued as a separately released product, but BlindRead's code is included in the newer BlindWrite suite of software that...
  
   - BlindWrite 5/6 image file

Computer-aided

Computer-aided

Computer-aided

Computer-aided- or computer-assisted- is a prefix that hints to the use of a computer as an indispensable tool in a certain field, usually derived from more traditional fields of science and engineering...

 is a prefix for several categories of tools (e.g., design, manufacture, engineering) which assist professionals in their respective fields (e.g., machining

Machining

Conventional machining is a form of subtractive manufacturing, in which a collection of material-working processes utilizing power-driven machine tools, such as saws, lathes, milling machines, and drill presses, are used with a sharp cutting tool to physical remove material to achieve a desired...

, architecture

Architecture

Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...

, schematics).

Computer-aided design (CAD)

Computer-aided design (CAD)

Computer-aided design

Computer-aided design , also known as computer-aided design and drafting , is the use of computer technology for the process of design and design-documentation. Computer Aided Drafting describes the process of drafting with a computer...

 software assists engineers, architects and other design professionals in project design.

• 3dmlw – (3D Markup Language for Web) files
• 3dxml
  3DXML
  3DXML is a proprietary 3D file format developed by Dassault Systemes under its 3D Via Brand. It uses an XML container whose specification were published....
  
   – Dassault Systemes graphic representation
• ACP – VA Software VA – Virtual Architecture CAD file
• AMF
  Additive Manufacturing File Format
  Additive Manufacturing File Format is an open standard for describing objects for additive manufacturing processes such as 3D printing. The official ASTM F2915standard is an XML-based format designed to allow any computer-aided design software to describe the shape and composition of any 3D object...
  
   – Additive Manufacturing File Format
• AR – Ashlar-Vellum Argon – 3D Modeling
• ART – ArtCAM model
• ASC – BRL-CAD
  BRL-CAD
  BRL-CAD is a constructive solid geometry solid modeling computer-aided design system. It includes an interactive geometry editor, ray tracing support for graphics rendering and geometric analysis, computer network distributed framebuffer support, scripting, image-processing and signal-processing...
  
   Geometry File (old ASCII format)
• ASM – Solidedge Assembly, Pro/ENGINEER Assembly
• BIN, BIM – Data Design System
  Data Design System
  Data Design System ASA supplies the construction industry with software tools for building information modelling .The company was founded in 1984 in Stavanger, Norway...
  
   DDS-CAD
• CCC – CopyCAD Curves
• CCM – CopyCAD Model
• CCS – CopyCAD Session
• CAD – CadStd
• CATDrawing – CATIA
  CATIA
  CATIA is a multi-platform CAD/CAM/CAE commercial software suite developed by the French company Dassault Systemes...
  
   V5 Drawing document
• CATPart – CATIA
  CATIA
  CATIA is a multi-platform CAD/CAM/CAE commercial software suite developed by the French company Dassault Systemes...
  
   V5 Part document
• CATProduct – CATIA
  CATIA
  CATIA is a multi-platform CAD/CAM/CAE commercial software suite developed by the French company Dassault Systemes...
  
   V5 Assembly document
• CATProcess – CATIA
  CATIA
  CATIA is a multi-platform CAD/CAM/CAE commercial software suite developed by the French company Dassault Systemes...
  
   V5 Manufacturing document
• cgr – CATIA
  CATIA
  CATIA is a multi-platform CAD/CAM/CAE commercial software suite developed by the French company Dassault Systemes...
  
   V5 graphic representation file
• CO – Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt – parametric drafting and 3D modeling
• DRW – Caddie
  Caddie (CAD system)
  Caddie is a mid-range computer-assisted draughting software package for 2D and 3D design. It is used primarily by architects, but has tools for surveyors and mechanical, civil and construction engineers. It was initially designed as a electronic drawing board, using concepts and tools clearly...
  
   Early version of Caddie drawing – Prior to Caddie changing to DWG
• DWG
  AutoCAD DWG
  DWG is a binary file format used for storing two and three dimensional design data and metadata. It is the native format for several CAD packages including AutoCAD, IntelliCAD and Caddie. In addition, DWG is supported non-natively by many other CAD applications...
  
   – AutoCAD
  AutoCAD
  AutoCAD is a software application for computer-aided design and drafting in both 2D and 3D. It is developed and sold by Autodesk, Inc. First released in December 1982, AutoCAD was one of the first CAD programs to run on personal computers, notably the IBM PC...
  
   and Open Design Alliance applications
• DFT – Solidedge Draft
• DGN
  DGN
  DGN is the name used for CAD file formats supported by Bentley Systems' MicroStation and Intergraph's Interactive Graphics Design System CAD programs.There are two versions of DGN:...
  
   – MicroStation
  Microstation
  MicroStation is a CAD software product for 2- and 3-dimensional design and drafting, developed and sold by Bentley Systems. The latest versions of the software are released solely for Microsoft Windows operating systems, but historically MicroStation was available for Macintosh platforms and a...
  
   design file
• DGK – Delcam Geometry
• DMT – Delcam Machining Triangles
• DXF – ASCII Drawing Interchange file format – AutoCAD
  AutoCAD
  AutoCAD is a software application for computer-aided design and drafting in both 2D and 3D. It is developed and sold by Autodesk, Inc. First released in December 1982, AutoCAD was one of the first CAD programs to run on personal computers, notably the IBM PC...
  
  
• DWB – VariCAD
  VariCAD
  VariCAD is a computer program for 3D/2D CAD and mechanical engineering which has been developed since 1988. VariCAD runs on Windows and Linux. It features many tools for 3D modeling and 2D drafting...
  
   drawing file
• DWF – AutoDesk's Web Design Format; AutoCAD & Revit can publish to this format; similar in concept to PDF files; AutoDesk Design Review is the reader
• EMB – Wilcom ES Designer Embroidery CAD file
• ESW – Agtek format
• EXCELLON – Excellon file
  Excellon file
  - Definition :The Excellon format is a format used to drive CNC drilling and routing machines in electronics manufacturing of printed circuit boards . It is a variant of the EIA RS-274-C standard....
  
  
• EXP – Drawing Express
  Drawing Express
  Drawing Express is a CAD software application for 2D and 3D design and drafting. It is used primarily by architects and builders, but the tools and commands present on the system can be adopted for use by landscape designers, surveyors, civil and construction engineers...
  
   file format
• FM – FeatureCAM Part File
• FMZ – FormZ Project file
• G – BRL-CAD
  BRL-CAD
  BRL-CAD is a constructive solid geometry solid modeling computer-aided design system. It includes an interactive geometry editor, ray tracing support for graphics rendering and geometric analysis, computer network distributed framebuffer support, scripting, image-processing and signal-processing...
  
   Geometry File
• GERBER – Gerber file
  Gerber File
  The Gerber format is a file format used by printed circuit board industry software to describe the images of a printed circuit board . The Gerber format is the de-facto industry standard for printed circuit board image transfer.There are two versions. RS-274X is the most commonly used today...
  
  
• GRB – T-FLEX CAD
  T-FLEX CAD
  T-FLEX CAD is a Parasolid-based parametric CAD software application for 3D solid modeling and 2D design and drafting, developed and sold by Russia-based software company Top Systems....
  
   File
• GTC – GRAITEC Advance
  GRAITEC Advance
  GRAITEC Advance is a CAD / CAE software package developed by GRAITEC that includes three complementary software applications:*Advance Steel: an AutoCAD extension for modeling and detailing of steel structures, automatic creation of fabrication drawings, bill of materials and NC files.*Advance...
  
   file format
• IAM – Autodesk Inventor
  Autodesk Inventor
  Autodesk Inventor, developed by U.S.-based software company Autodesk, is 3D mechanical solid modeling design software for creating 3D digital prototypes used in the design, visualization and simulation of products...
  
   Assembly file
• ICD – IronCAD 2D CAD file
• IDW – Autodesk Inventor
  Autodesk Inventor
  Autodesk Inventor, developed by U.S.-based software company Autodesk, is 3D mechanical solid modeling design software for creating 3D digital prototypes used in the design, visualization and simulation of products...
  
   Drawing file
• IFC
  Industry Foundation Classes
  The Industry Foundation Classes data model is intended to describe building and construction industry data.It is a neutral and open specification that is not controlled by a single vendor or group of vendors...
  
   – buildingSMART for sharing AEC and FM
  Facility management
  Facility management is an interdisciplinary field primarily devoted to the maintenance and care of commercial or institutional buildings, such as hospitals, hotels, office complexes, arenas, schools or convention centers...
  
   data
• IGES
  IGES
  The Initial Graphics Exchange Specification is a file format which defines a vendor neutral data format that allows the digital exchange of information among Computer-aided design systems....
  
   – Initial Graphics Exchange Specification
• Intergraph's
  Intergraph
  Intergraph Corporation is an American software development and services company. It provides enterprise engineering and geospatially powered software to businesses, governments, and organizations around the world. Intergraph operates through two divisions: Process, Power & Marine and Security,...
  
   Intergraph Standard File Formats
  Intergraph Standard File Formats
  Intergraph Standard File Formats are the file formats common to MicroStation and Intergraph's Interactive Graphics Design System...
  
  
• IPN – Autodesk Inventor
  Autodesk Inventor
  Autodesk Inventor, developed by U.S.-based software company Autodesk, is 3D mechanical solid modeling design software for creating 3D digital prototypes used in the design, visualization and simulation of products...
  
   Presentation file
• IPT – Autodesk Inventor
  Autodesk Inventor
  Autodesk Inventor, developed by U.S.-based software company Autodesk, is 3D mechanical solid modeling design software for creating 3D digital prototypes used in the design, visualization and simulation of products...
  
   Part file
• MCD – Monu-CAD (Monument/Headstone Drawing file)
• model – CATIA
  CATIA
  CATIA is a multi-platform CAD/CAM/CAE commercial software suite developed by the French company Dassault Systemes...
  
   V4 part document
• PAR – Solidedge Part
• PRT – NX (recently known as Unigraphics), Pro/ENGINEER Part, CADKEY Part
• PLN – ArchiCad project
• PSM – Solidedge Sheet
• PSMODEL – PowerSHAPE Model
• PWI – PowerINSPECT File
• PYT – Pythagoras File
• SKP – SketchUp Model
• RLF – ArtCAM Relief
• RVT – AutoDesk Revit project files
• RFA – AutoDesk Revit family files
• SCDOC - SpaceClaim
  SpaceClaim
  SpaceClaim Corporation was founded in 2005 to develop 3D solid modeling software for mechanical engineering. The company launched its first product, SpaceClaim 2007 Professional, in 2007 as a CAD application that uses an approach to solid modeling where design concepts are created by pulling,...
  
   3D Part/Assembly
• SLDASM – SolidWorks
  SolidWorks
  SolidWorks is a 3D mechanical CAD program that runs on Microsoft Windows and is being developed by Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp., a subsidiary of Dassault Systèmes, S. A. . SolidWorks is currently used by over 1.3 million engineers and designers at more than 130,000 companies worldwide...
  
   Assembly drawing
• SLDDRW – SolidWorks
  SolidWorks
  SolidWorks is a 3D mechanical CAD program that runs on Microsoft Windows and is being developed by Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp., a subsidiary of Dassault Systèmes, S. A. . SolidWorks is currently used by over 1.3 million engineers and designers at more than 130,000 companies worldwide...
  
   2D drawing
• SLDPRT – SolidWorks
  SolidWorks
  SolidWorks is a 3D mechanical CAD program that runs on Microsoft Windows and is being developed by Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp., a subsidiary of Dassault Systèmes, S. A. . SolidWorks is currently used by over 1.3 million engineers and designers at more than 130,000 companies worldwide...
  
   3D part model
• Softimage's
  Softimage
  Softimage, Co. was a company located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada that produced 3D animation software. Their flagship products, Softimage 3D and Softimage XSI, are used in the creation of computer animation for films, television advertisement, and video games...
  
   dotXSI
  DotXSI
  dotXSI is an ASCII file format of Softimage Corporation for storing scene data.It includes support for meshes, NURBS, 2D and 3D chains, polygons, materials, hierarchies, skeletons, animation constraints, Hermite splines, custom effects, and user data....
  
  
• STEP – Standard for the Exchange of Product model data
• STL
  STL (file format)
  STL is a file format native to the stereolithography CAD software created by 3D Systems. This file format is supported by many other software packages; it is widely used for rapid prototyping and computer-aided manufacturing. STL files describe only the surface geometry of a three dimensional...
  
   – Stereo Lithographic data format (see STL (file format)
  STL (file format)
  STL is a file format native to the stereolithography CAD software created by 3D Systems. This file format is supported by many other software packages; it is widely used for rapid prototyping and computer-aided manufacturing. STL files describe only the surface geometry of a three dimensional...
  
  ) used by various CAD systems and stereo lithographic printing machines.
• TCT – TurboCAD
  TurboCAD
  TurboCAD is a CAD software application for 2D and 3D design and drafting running on the Macintosh and Microsoft Windows operating systems.-Windows versions:...
  
   drawing template
• TCW – TurboCAD
  TurboCAD
  TurboCAD is a CAD software application for 2D and 3D design and drafting running on the Macintosh and Microsoft Windows operating systems.-Windows versions:...
  
   for Windows 2D and 3D drawing
• UNV – I-DEAS
  I-DEAS
  I-DEAS , a Computer-aided design software package. It was originally produced by Structural Dynamics Research Corporation in 1982. I-DEAS was used primarily in the automotive industry, most notably by Ford Motor Company and by General Motors...
  
   I-DEAS (Integrated Design and Engineering Analysis Software)
• VC6 – Ashlar-Vellum Graphite – 2D and 3D drafting
• VLM – Ashlar-Vellum Vellum, Vellum 2D, Vellum Draft, Vellum 3D, DrawingBoard
• VS – Ashlar-Vellum Vellum Solids
• WRL – Similar to STL, but includes color. Used by various CAD systems and 3D printing rapid prototyping machines. Also used for VRML models on the web.
• XE – Ashlar-Vellum Xenon – for Associative 3D Modeling

Electronic design automation (EDA)

Electronic design automation (EDA)

Electronic design automation

Electronic design automation is a category of software tools for designing electronic systems such as printed circuit boards and integrated circuits...

, or electronic computer-aided design (ECAD), is specific to the field of electrical engineering.

• BRD – Board file for EAGLE Layout Editor
  Eagle (program)
  EAGLE by Cadsoft is a flexible and expandable EDA schematic capture, PCB layout, autorouter and CAM program widely used since 1988.- Schematic capture :...
  
  , a commercial PCB
  Printed circuit board
  A printed circuit board, or PCB, is used to mechanically support and electrically connect electronic components using conductive pathways, tracks or signal traces etched from copper sheets laminated onto a non-conductive substrate. It is also referred to as printed wiring board or etched wiring...
  
   design tool
• BSDL
  Boundary scan description language
  Boundary scan description language is a description language for electronics testing using JTAG. It has been added to the IEEE Std. 1149.1, and BSDL files are increasingly well supported by JTAG tools for boundary scan applications, and by test case generators.- BSDL Overview :BSDL is a VHDL subset...
  
   – Description language for testing through JTAG
• CDL – Transistor
  Transistor
  A transistor is a semiconductor device used to amplify and switch electronic signals and power. It is composed of a semiconductor material with at least three terminals for connection to an external circuit. A voltage or current applied to one pair of the transistor's terminals changes the current...
  
  -level netlist
  Netlist
  The word netlist can be used in several different contexts, but perhaps the most popular is in the field of electronic design. In this context, a "netlist" describes the connectivity of an electronic design....
  
   format for IC
  Integrated circuit
  An integrated circuit or monolithic integrated circuit is an electronic circuit manufactured by the patterned diffusion of trace elements into the surface of a thin substrate of semiconductor material...
  
   design
• CPF
  Common Power Format
  The Si2 Common Power Format, or CPF is a file format for specifying power-saving techniques early in the design process. In the design of integrated circuits, saving power is a primary goal, and designers are forced to use sophisticated techniques such as clock gating, multi-voltage logic, and...
  
   – Power-domain specification in SoC
  System-on-a-chip
  A system on a chip or system on chip is an integrated circuit that integrates all components of a computer or other electronic system into a single chip. It may contain digital, analog, mixed-signal, and often radio-frequency functions—all on a single chip substrate...
  
   implementation (see also UPF
  Unified Power Format
  Unified Power Format is the popular name of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers standard for specifying power intent in power optimization of electronic design automation...
  
  )
• DEF
  Design Exchange Format
  Design Exchange Format is an open specification for representing physical layout of an integrated circuit in an ASCII format. It represents the netlist and circuit layout. DEF is used in conjunction with Library Exchange Format to represent complete physical layout of an integrated circuit while...
  
   – Gate
  Logic gate
  A logic gate is an idealized or physical device implementing a Boolean function, that is, it performs a logical operation on one or more logic inputs and produces a single logic output. Depending on the context, the term may refer to an ideal logic gate, one that has for instance zero rise time and...
  
  -level layout
  Integrated circuit layout
  Integrated circuit layout, also known IC layout, IC mask layout, or mask design, is the representation of an integrated circuit in terms of planar geometric shapes which correspond to the patterns of metal, oxide, or semiconductor layers that make up the components of the integrated circuit.When...
  
  
• DSPF – Detailed Standard Parasitic Format, Analog
  Analog signal
  An analog or analogue signal is any continuous signal for which the time varying feature of the signal is a representation of some other time varying quantity, i.e., analogous to another time varying signal. It differs from a digital signal in terms of small fluctuations in the signal which are...
  
  -level parasitics of interconnections in IC
  Integrated circuit
  An integrated circuit or monolithic integrated circuit is an electronic circuit manufactured by the patterned diffusion of trace elements into the surface of a thin substrate of semiconductor material...
  
   design
• EDIF
  EDIF
  EDIF is a vendor-neutral format in which to store Electronic netlists and schematics. It was one of the first attempts to establish a neutral data exchange format for the electronic design automation industry. The goal was to establish a common format from which the proprietary formats of the EDA...
  
   – Vendor neutral gate
  Logic gate
  A logic gate is an idealized or physical device implementing a Boolean function, that is, it performs a logical operation on one or more logic inputs and produces a single logic output. Depending on the context, the term may refer to an ideal logic gate, one that has for instance zero rise time and...
  
  -level netlist
  Netlist
  The word netlist can be used in several different contexts, but perhaps the most popular is in the field of electronic design. In this context, a "netlist" describes the connectivity of an electronic design....
  
   format
• FSDB – Analog
  Analog signal
  An analog or analogue signal is any continuous signal for which the time varying feature of the signal is a representation of some other time varying quantity, i.e., analogous to another time varying signal. It differs from a digital signal in terms of small fluctuations in the signal which are...
  
   waveform
  Waveform
  Waveform means the shape and form of a signal such as a wave moving in a physical medium or an abstract representation.In many cases the medium in which the wave is being propagated does not permit a direct visual image of the form. In these cases, the term 'waveform' refers to the shape of a graph...
  
   format (see also Waveform viewer
  Waveform viewer
  A waveform viewer is a software tool for viewing the signal levels of either a digital or analog circuit design.Waveform viewers comes in two varieties:# simulation waveform viewers for displaying signal levels of simulated design models, and...
  
  )
• GDSII
  GDSII
  GDSII stream format, common acronym GDSII, is a database file format which is the de facto industry standard for data exchange of integrated circuit or IC layout artwork. It is a binary file format representing planar geometric shapes, text labels, and other information about the layout in...
  
   – Format for PCB
  Printed circuit board
  A printed circuit board, or PCB, is used to mechanically support and electrically connect electronic components using conductive pathways, tracks or signal traces etched from copper sheets laminated onto a non-conductive substrate. It is also referred to as printed wiring board or etched wiring...
  
   and layout
  Integrated circuit layout
  Integrated circuit layout, also known IC layout, IC mask layout, or mask design, is the representation of an integrated circuit in terms of planar geometric shapes which correspond to the patterns of metal, oxide, or semiconductor layers that make up the components of the integrated circuit.When...
  
   of integrated circuits
• HEX
  Intel HEX
  Intel HEX is a file format for conveying binary information for applications like programming microcontrollers, EPROMs, and other kinds of chips. It is one of the oldest file formats available for this purpose, having been in use since the 1970s...
  
   – ASCII
  ASCII
  The American Standard Code for Information Interchange is a character-encoding scheme based on the ordering of the English alphabet. ASCII codes represent text in computers, communications equipment, and other devices that use text...
  
  -coded binary
  Binary file
  A binary file is a computer file which may contain any type of data, encoded in binary form for computer storage and processing purposes; for example, computer document files containing formatted text...
  
   format for memory dumps
• LEF – Library Exchange Format, physical abstract of cells for IC
  Integrated circuit
  An integrated circuit or monolithic integrated circuit is an electronic circuit manufactured by the patterned diffusion of trace elements into the surface of a thin substrate of semiconductor material...
  
   design
• LIB – Library modeling (function, timing) format
• MS10 – NI Multisim file
• OASIS – Open Artwork System Interchange Standard
  Open Artwork System Interchange Standard
  OASIS is a language used by computers to represent and express an electronic pattern for an integrated circuit during its design and manufacture. The language defines the code required for geometric shapes such as polygons, rectangles and trapezoids...
  
  
• OpenAccess
  OpenAccess
  OpenAccess is a community effort to provide interoperability, including unified data exchange among integrated circuit design tools through an open standard data API and reference database supporting that API for IC design...
  
   – Design database format with API
  Application programming interface
  An application programming interface is a source code based specification intended to be used as an interface by software components to communicate with each other...
  
  s
• SDC – Synopsys Design Constraints, format for synthesis
  Logic synthesis
  In electronics, logic synthesis is a process by which an abstract form of desired circuit behavior, typically register transfer level , is turned into a design implementation in terms of logic gates. Common examples of this process include synthesis of HDLs, including VHDL and Verilog...
  
   constraints
• SDF
  Standard Delay Format
  Standard Delay Format is an IEEE standard for the representation and interpretation of timing data for use at any stage of an electronic design process. It finds wide applicability in design flows, and forms an efficient bridge between Dynamic Timing Simulations and Static timing analysisIt was...
  
   – Standard for gate
  Logic gate
  A logic gate is an idealized or physical device implementing a Boolean function, that is, it performs a logical operation on one or more logic inputs and produces a single logic output. Depending on the context, the term may refer to an ideal logic gate, one that has for instance zero rise time and...
  
  -level timings
• SPEF
  Standard Parasitic Exchange Format
  Standard Parasitic Exchange Format is an IEEE standard for representing parasitic data of wires in a chip in ASCII format. Resistance, capacitance and inductance of wires in a chip are known as parasitic data...
  
   – Standard format for parasitics of interconnections in IC
  Integrated circuit
  An integrated circuit or monolithic integrated circuit is an electronic circuit manufactured by the patterned diffusion of trace elements into the surface of a thin substrate of semiconductor material...
  
   design
• SPI, CIR – SPICE
  SPICE
  SPICE is a general-purpose, open source analog electronic circuit simulator.It is a powerful program that is used in integrated circuit and board-level design to check the integrity of circuit designs and to predict circuit behavior.- Introduction :Unlike board-level designs composed of discrete...
  
   Netlist, device-level netlist
  Netlist
  The word netlist can be used in several different contexts, but perhaps the most popular is in the field of electronic design. In this context, a "netlist" describes the connectivity of an electronic design....
  
   and commands for simulation
  Computer simulation
  A computer simulation, a computer model, or a computational model is a computer program, or network of computers, that attempts to simulate an abstract model of a particular system...
  
  
• SREC
  SREC (file format)
  The Motorola S-record format is an ASCII hexadecimal text encoding for binary data. It is also known as the SREC or S19 format. Each record contains a checksum to detect data that has been corrupted during transmission. The first record may include arbitrary comments such as a program name or...
  
  , S19 – S-record, ASCII
  ASCII
  The American Standard Code for Information Interchange is a character-encoding scheme based on the ordering of the English alphabet. ASCII codes represent text in computers, communications equipment, and other devices that use text...
  
  -coded format for memory dumps
• SV – SystemVerilog
  SystemVerilog
  In the semiconductor and electronic design industry, SystemVerilog is a combined Hardware Description Language and Hardware Verification Language based on extensions to Verilog.-History:...
  
   source file
• UPF
  Unified Power Format
  Unified Power Format is the popular name of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers standard for specifying power intent in power optimization of electronic design automation...
  
   – Standard for Power-domain specification in SoC
  System-on-a-chip
  A system on a chip or system on chip is an integrated circuit that integrates all components of a computer or other electronic system into a single chip. It may contain digital, analog, mixed-signal, and often radio-frequency functions—all on a single chip substrate...
  
   implementation
• V – Verilog
  Verilog
  In the semiconductor and electronic design industry, Verilog is a hardware description language used to model electronic systems. Verilog HDL, not to be confused with VHDL , is most commonly used in the design, verification, and implementation of digital logic chips at the register-transfer level...
  
   source file
• VCD
  Value change dump
  Value change dump is an ASCII-based format for dumpfiles generated by EDA logic simulation tools. The standard, four-value VCD format was defined along with the Verilog hardware description language by the IEEE Standard 1364-1995 in 1995. An Extended VCD format defined six years later in the IEEE...
  
   – Standard format for digital
  Digital
  A digital system is a data technology that uses discrete values. By contrast, non-digital systems use a continuous range of values to represent information...
  
   simulation waveform
  Waveform
  Waveform means the shape and form of a signal such as a wave moving in a physical medium or an abstract representation.In many cases the medium in which the wave is being propagated does not permit a direct visual image of the form. In these cases, the term 'waveform' refers to the shape of a graph...
  
  
• VHD, VHDL – VHDL source file

Test technology

Files output from Automatic Test Equipment

Automatic test equipment

Automatic or Automated Test Equipment is any apparatus that performs tests on a device, known as the Device Under Test , using automation to quickly perform measurements and evaluate the test results...

 or post-processed from such.

• Standard Test Data Format
  Standard Test Data Format
  Standard Test Data Format is a proprietary file format for semiconductor test information originally developed by Teradyne, but now widely used de facto throughout the semiconductor industry...
  
  

Database

• ACCDB – Microsoft Database (Microsoft Office Access 2007
  Microsoft Access
  Microsoft Office Access, previously known as Microsoft Access, is a relational database management system from Microsoft that combines the relational Microsoft Jet Database Engine with a graphical user interface and software-development tools. It is a member of the Microsoft Office suite of...
  
  )
• ADT – Sybase Advantage Database Server (ADS)
• APR – Lotus Approach
  Lotus Approach
  Lotus Approach is a relational database management system included in IBM's Lotus SmartSuite for Microsoft Windows.Start-up company Approach was first formed in 1991, won over 30 awards the first year, including "best of show" at Comdex...
  
   data entry & reports
• BOX – Lotus Notes
  Lotus Notes
  Lotus Notes is the client of a collaborative platform originally created by Lotus Development Corp. in 1989. In 1995 Lotus was acquired by IBM and became known as the Lotus Development division of IBM and is now part of the IBM Software Group...
  
   Post Office mail routing database
• CHML – Krasbit Technologies Encrypted database file for 1 click integration between contact management software and the chameleon(tm) line of imaging workflow solutions
• DAF – Digital Anchor data file
• DAT – DOS Basic
• DB – Paradox
  Paradox (database)
  Paradox is a relational database management system currently published by Corel Corporation. It was originally released for DOS by Ansa Software, and then by Borland after it bought the company...
  
  
• DB - SQLite
  SQLite
  SQLite is an ACID-compliant embedded relational database management system contained in a relatively small C programming library. The source code for SQLite is in the public domain and implements most of the SQL standard...
  
  
• DBF – db/dbase II,III,IV and V, Clipper, Harbour/xHarbour, Fox/FoxPro, Oracle
  Oracle database
  The Oracle Database is an object-relational database management system produced and marketed by Oracle Corporation....
  
  
• EGT – EGT Universal Document, used to compress sql databases to smaller files, may contain original EGT database style.
• ESS – EGT SmartSense is a database of files and its compression style. Specific to EGT SmartSense
• EAP – Enterprise Architect Project
• FDB – Firebird
  Firebird (database server)
  Firebird is an open source SQL relational database management system that runs on Linux, Windows, and a variety of Unix. The database forked from Borland's open source edition of InterBase in 2000, but since Firebird 1.5 the code has been largely rewritten ....
  
   Databases
• FDB – Navision
  Microsoft Dynamics NAV
  Microsoft Dynamics NAV is an enterprise resource planning software product from Microsoft.The product is part of the Microsoft Dynamics family, and intended to assist with finance, manufacturing, customer relationship management, supply chains, analytics and electronic commerce for small and...
  
   database file
• FP, FP3, FP5, and FP7 – FileMaker Pro
• FRM – MySQL
  MySQL
  MySQL officially, but also commonly "My Sequel") is a relational database management system that runs as a server providing multi-user access to a number of databases. It is named after developer Michael Widenius' daughter, My...
  
   table definition
• GDB – Borland InterBase
  InterBase
  InterBase is a relational database management system currently developed and marketed by Embarcadero Technologies. InterBase is distinguished from other DBMSs by its small footprint, close to zero administration requirements, and multi-generational architecture...
  
   Databases
• KEXI – Kexi
  Kexi
  Kexi is an integrated data management application, designed to fill the gap between spreadsheets and database solutions requiring more sophisticated development...
  
   database file (SQLite
  SQLite
  SQLite is an ACID-compliant embedded relational database management system contained in a relatively small C programming library. The source code for SQLite is in the public domain and implements most of the SQL standard...
  
  -based)
• KEXIC – shortcut to a database connection for a Kexi
  Kexi
  Kexi is an integrated data management application, designed to fill the gap between spreadsheets and database solutions requiring more sophisticated development...
  
   databases on a server
• LDB – Temporary database file, only existing when database is open
• MDB (.mdb, .ldb) – Microsoft Database (Access
  Microsoft Access
  Microsoft Office Access, previously known as Microsoft Access, is a relational database management system from Microsoft that combines the relational Microsoft Jet Database Engine with a graphical user interface and software-development tools. It is a member of the Microsoft Office suite of...
  
  )
• ADP – Microsoft Access
  Microsoft Access
  Microsoft Office Access, previously known as Microsoft Access, is a relational database management system from Microsoft that combines the relational Microsoft Jet Database Engine with a graphical user interface and software-development tools. It is a member of the Microsoft Office suite of...
  
   project (used for accessing databases on a server)
• MDE – Compiled Microsoft Database (Access)
• MDF – Microsoft SQL Server Database
• MYD – MySQL MyISAM table data
• MYI – MySQL MyISAM table index
• NCF – Lotus Notes
  Lotus Notes
  Lotus Notes is the client of a collaborative platform originally created by Lotus Development Corp. in 1989. In 1995 Lotus was acquired by IBM and became known as the Lotus Development division of IBM and is now part of the IBM Software Group...
  
   configuration file
• NSF – Lotus Notes
  Lotus Notes
  Lotus Notes is the client of a collaborative platform originally created by Lotus Development Corp. in 1989. In 1995 Lotus was acquired by IBM and became known as the Lotus Development division of IBM and is now part of the IBM Software Group...
  
   database
• NTF – Lotus Notes
  Lotus Notes
  Lotus Notes is the client of a collaborative platform originally created by Lotus Development Corp. in 1989. In 1995 Lotus was acquired by IBM and became known as the Lotus Development division of IBM and is now part of the IBM Software Group...
  
   database design template
• NV2 – QW Page NewViews
  NewViews
  NewViews is accounting software that is developed and distributed by Q.W.Page Associates Inc., a privately held company based in Aurora, Ontario, Canada. NewViews is noted for its integrated, non-modular approach, which enables the total financial cycle to be updated instantly as each transaction...
  
   object oriented accounting database
• ODB – OpenDocument
  OpenDocument
  The Open Document Format for Office Applications is an XML-based file format for representing electronic documents such as spreadsheets, charts, presentations and word processing documents....
  
   database
• ORA – Oracle
  Oracle Corporation
  Oracle Corporation is an American multinational computer technology corporation that specializes in developing and marketing hardware systems and enterprise software products – particularly database management systems...
  
   tablespace files sometimes get this extension (also used for configuration files)
• PDB – Palm OS Database
  PDB (Palm OS)
  PDB is a container format for record databases in Palm OS, Garnet OS and Access Linux Platform. Its structure is similar to PRC resource databases...
  
  
• PDI – Portable Database Image
  Portable Database Image
  The Portable Database Image, also known as file, is a proprietary loss-less format designed for analytics, publishing and syndication of complex data. The .pdi format, generation process, and GUI, were invented by Dr. Reimar Hofmann and Dr...
  
  
• PDX – Corel Paradox
  Paradox (database)
  Paradox is a relational database management system currently published by Corel Corporation. It was originally released for DOS by Ansa Software, and then by Borland after it bought the company...
  
   database management
• PRC – Palm OS resource database
  PRC (Palm OS)
  PRC is a container format for code databases in Palm OS, Garnet OS and Access Linux Platform. Its structure is similar to PDB databases. Usually, a PRC file is a flat representation of a Palm OS application that is stored as forked database on the PDA....
  
  
• SQL
  SQL
  SQL is a programming language designed for managing data in relational database management systems ....
  
   – bundled SQL queries
• REL – Sage Retrieve 4GL data file
• RIN – Sage Retrieve 4GL index file
• SDB – StarOffice
  StarOffice
  StarOffice, known briefly as Oracle Open Office before its discontinuation in 2010, is a proprietary office suite. It was originally developed by StarDivision which was acquired by Sun Microsystems in 1999...
  
  's StarBase
• UDL – Universal Data Link
• WDB – Microsoft Works
  Microsoft Works
  Microsoft Works is an integrated package software that is produced by Microsoft. Works is smaller, less expensive, and has fewer features than Microsoft Office or other major office suites. Its core functionality includes a word processor, a spreadsheet and a database management system...
  
   Database
• WMDB – Windows Media
  Windows Media Player
  Windows Media Player is a media player and media library application developed by Microsoft that is used for playing audio, video and viewing images on personal computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system, as well as on Pocket PC and Windows Mobile-based devices...
  
   Database file – The CurrentDatabase_360.wmdb file can contain file name, file properties, music, video, photo and playlist information.

Desktop publishing

• DTP – greenstreet Publisher, GST PressWorks
• INDD – Adobe InDesign
  Adobe InDesign
  Adobe InDesign is a software application produced by Adobe Systems. It can be used to create works such as posters, flyers, brochures, magazines, newspapers and books. In conjunction with Adobe Digital Publishing Suite InDesign can publish content suitable for tablet devices...
  
  
• MCF – FotoInsight
  FotoInsight
  FotoInsight is a digital photo processing service for Windows, Mac OS and Linux users that was founded in 2003 in Cambridge, England, and is Europe's largest independent photo printer.- Overview :...
  
   Designer
• PMD – Adobe PageMaker
  Adobe PageMaker
  PageMaker was one of the first desktop publishing programs, introduced in 1985 by Aldus Corporation, initially for the then-new Apple Macintosh and in 1987 for PCs running Windows 1.0....
  
  
• PPP – Serif PagePlus
  PagePlus
  PagePlus is a desktop publishing program developed by Serif. The first version was released in 1991 as the first commercial sub-£100 DTP package for Microsoft Windows...
  
  
• PUB – Microsoft Publisher
  Microsoft Publisher
  Microsoft Publisher is a desktop publishing application from Microsoft. It is an entry-level application, differing from Microsoft Word in that the emphasis is placed on page layout and design rather than text composition and proofing...
  
  
• FM – Adobe FrameMaker
  Adobe FrameMaker
  Adobe FrameMaker is a document processor for the production and manipulation of large structured documents. It is produced by Adobe Systems. Although FrameMaker has evolved slowly in recent years, it maintains a strong following among professional technical writers.- Overview :FrameMaker has more...
  
  

Document

These files store formatted text

Formatted text

Formatted text, styled text or rich text, as opposed to plain text, has styling information beyond the minimum of semantic elements: colours, styles , sizes and special features .-Terminology:...

 and plain text

Plain text

In computing, plain text is the contents of an ordinary sequential file readable as textual material without much processing, usually opposed to formatted text....

.

• 602 – Text602 document
• ABW – AbiWord
  AbiWord
  AbiWord is a free and open source software word processor. It was originally started by SourceGear Corporation as the first part of a proposed AbiSuite. Development stopped when SourceGear changed their focus to Internet appliances. AbiWord was adopted by some open source developers and AbiWord...
  
   document
• ACL – MS Word AutoCorrect List
• AFP – Advanced Function Presentation – IBc
• Amigaguide
  Amigaguide
  AmigaGuide is a hypertext document file format designed for the Amiga, files are stored in ASCII so it is possible to read and edit a file without the need for special software.Since Workbench 2.1 an Amiga Guide system for O.S...
  
  
• ANS – ANSI
  American National Standards Institute
  The American National Standards Institute is a private non-profit organization that oversees the development of voluntary consensus standards for products, services, processes, systems, and personnel in the United States. The organization also coordinates U.S. standards with international...
  
   text with Layout
• ASC – ASCII
  ASCII
  The American Standard Code for Information Interchange is a character-encoding scheme based on the ordering of the English alphabet. ASCII codes represent text in computers, communications equipment, and other devices that use text...
  
   text with Layout
• AWW – Ability Write
• CSV – ASCII
  ASCII
  The American Standard Code for Information Interchange is a character-encoding scheme based on the ordering of the English alphabet. ASCII codes represent text in computers, communications equipment, and other devices that use text...
  
   text encoded as Comma Separated Values, used in most spreadsheets such as Microsoft Excel
  Microsoft Excel
  Microsoft Excel is a proprietary commercial spreadsheet application written and distributed by Microsoft for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. It features calculation, graphing tools, pivot tables, and a macro programming language called Visual Basic for Applications...
  
   or by most database management systems
• CWK – ClarisWorks / AppleWorks
  AppleWorks
  AppleWorks refers to two different office suite products, both of which are now discontinued. Originally, AppleWorks was an integrated software package for the Apple II platform, released in 1984 by Apple Computer...
  
   document
• DOC
  DOC (computing)
  In computing, DOC or doc is a filename extension for word processing documents; most commonly for Microsoft Word. Historically, the extension was used for documentation in plain-text format, particularly of programs or computer hardware, on a wide range of operating systems...
  
   – Microsoft Word document
• DOCX – Office Open XML Text document or Microsoft Office Word 2007 for Windows/2008 for Mac
• DOT – Microsoft Word document template
• DOTX – Office Open XML Text document template
• EGT – EGT Universal Document
• FDX – Final Draft
  Final Draft
  Final Draft is screenwriting software for writing and formatting a screenplay to meet the screenplay submission standards set by theater, television and film industries. The program is developed and owned by Final Draft, Inc., headquartered in Calabasas, CA; the company also owns Script magazine...
  
  
• FTM – Fielded Text
  Fielded text
  Fielded Text is a proposed standard which provides structure and schema definition to text files which contain tables of values . The standard allows the format and structure of the data within the text file to be specified by a Meta file...
  
   Meta
• FTX – Fielded Text
  Fielded text
  Fielded Text is a proposed standard which provides structure and schema definition to text files which contain tables of values . The standard allows the format and structure of the data within the text file to be specified by a Meta file...
  
   (Declared)
• HTML
  HTML
  HyperText Markup Language is the predominant markup language for web pages. HTML elements are the basic building-blocks of webpages....
  
   – HyperText Markup Language (.html, .htm)
• HWP – Haansoft (Hancom) Hangul Word Processor document
• HWPML – Haansoft (Hancom) Hangul Word Processor Markup Language document
• LWP – Lotus Word Pro
  Lotus Word Pro
  Lotus Word Pro is word processor software produced by IBM's Lotus Software group for use on Microsoft Windows-compatible computers and on IBM OS/2 Warp. Word Pro can be obtained as part of the Lotus SmartSuite office suite....
  
  
• MCW – Microsoft Word for Macintosh (versions 4.0–5.1)
• NB – Mathematica
  Mathematica
  Mathematica is a computational software program used in scientific, engineering, and mathematical fields and other areas of technical computing...
  
   Notebook
• NBP – Mathematica
  Mathematica
  Mathematica is a computational software program used in scientific, engineering, and mathematical fields and other areas of technical computing...
  
   Player Notebook
• ODM – OpenDocument
  OpenDocument
  The Open Document Format for Office Applications is an XML-based file format for representing electronic documents such as spreadsheets, charts, presentations and word processing documents....
  
   Master document
• ODT – OpenDocument
  OpenDocument
  The Open Document Format for Office Applications is an XML-based file format for representing electronic documents such as spreadsheets, charts, presentations and word processing documents....
  
   Text document
• OTT – OpenDocument
  OpenDocument
  The Open Document Format for Office Applications is an XML-based file format for representing electronic documents such as spreadsheets, charts, presentations and word processing documents....
  
   Text document template

• PAGES – Apple Pages
  Pages
  Pages is a word processor and page layout application developed by Apple. It is part of the iWork productivity suite and runs on the Mac OS X & iOS operating systems. The first version of Pages was announced on January 11, 2005, and was released one month later. The most recent Macintosh version,...
  
   document
• PAP – Papyrus word processor document
• PDAX – Portable Document Archive (PDA
  PDA
  A PDA is most commonly a Personal digital assistant, also known as a Personal data assistant, a mobile electronic device.PDA may also refer to:In science, medicine and technology:...
  
  ) document index file
• PDF – Portable Document Format
• Radix-64
• RTF
  Rich Text Format
  The Rich Text Format is a proprietary document file format with published specification developed by Microsoft Corporation since 1987 for Microsoft products and for cross-platform document interchange....
  
   – Rich Text document
• QUOX – Question Object File Format
  Question Object File Format
  Question Object File Format is a file format created by Quobject Software in 2009 for easy exam question exchange.QUOX is used for representing an exam question with text, pictures and MathML in any order together with the answer of the question in a single file...
  
   Question Object document for Quobject Designer
  Quobject Designer
  Quobject Designer is a freeware computer software running on MS Windows. It enables easy creation of question object files . Exam questions in the quox format can easily be shared among teachers and quickly combined for rapid creation of worksheets, exams and online quizzes within Quobject...
  
   or Quobject Explorer
  Quobject Explorer
  Quobject Explorer is a freeware computer software that enables rapid creation of worksheets, exams and online quizzes by managing quox files that contain questions and answers packaged together in a single file...
  
  
• RPT – Crystal Reports
• SDW – StarWriter text document, used in earlier versions of StarOffice
  StarOffice
  StarOffice, known briefly as Oracle Open Office before its discontinuation in 2010, is a proprietary office suite. It was originally developed by StarDivision which was acquired by Sun Microsystems in 1999...
  
  
• STW – OpenOffice.org XML
  OpenOffice.org XML
  OpenOffice.org XML is an open XML-based file format developed as an open community effort by Sun Microsystems and other OpenOffice.org project contributors in 2000-2002. The open-source software application suite OpenOffice.org 1.x and StarOffice 6 used the format as their native and default file...
  
   (obsolete) text document template
• SXW – OpenOffice.org XML
  OpenOffice.org XML
  OpenOffice.org XML is an open XML-based file format developed as an open community effort by Sun Microsystems and other OpenOffice.org project contributors in 2000-2002. The open-source software application suite OpenOffice.org 1.x and StarOffice 6 used the format as their native and default file...
  
   (obsolete) text document
• TeX
  TeX
  TeX is a typesetting system designed and mostly written by Donald Knuth and released in 1978. Within the typesetting system, its name is formatted as ....
  
   (.tex)
• Texinfo
  Texinfo
  Texinfo is a typesetting syntax used for generating documentation in both on-line and printed form with a single source file...
  
   (.info)
• Troff
  Troff
  troff is a document processing system developed by AT&T for the Unix operating system.-History:troff can trace its origins back to a text formatting program called RUNOFF, written by Jerome H. Saltzer for MIT's CTSS operating system in the mid-1960s...
  
  
• TXT
  Text file
  A text file is a kind of computer file that is structured as a sequence of lines of electronic text. A text file exists within a computer file system...
  
   – ASCII
  ASCII
  The American Standard Code for Information Interchange is a character-encoding scheme based on the ordering of the English alphabet. ASCII codes represent text in computers, communications equipment, and other devices that use text...
  
   or Unicode
  Unicode
  Unicode is a computing industry standard for the consistent encoding, representation and handling of text expressed in most of the world's writing systems...
  
   plaintext
  Plain text
  In computing, plain text is the contents of an ordinary sequential file readable as textual material without much processing, usually opposed to formatted text....
  
  
• UOF – Uniform Office Format
  Uniform Office Format
  Uniform Office Format sometimes known as Unified Office Format is an open standard for 'office' applications developed in China. It includes word processing, presentation, and spreadsheet modules, and is made up of GUI, API, and format specifications...
  
  
• UOML – UniqueObject Markup Language (UOML) is a XML-based markup language; uniqueobject
• WPD – WordPerfect
  WordPerfect
  WordPerfect is a word processing application, now owned by Corel.Bruce Bastian, a Brigham Young University graduate student, and BYU computer science professor Dr. Alan Ashton joined forces to design a word processing system for the city of Orem's Data General Corp. minicomputer system in 1979...
  
   document
• WPS – Microsoft Works
  Microsoft Works
  Microsoft Works is an integrated package software that is produced by Microsoft. Works is smaller, less expensive, and has fewer features than Microsoft Office or other major office suites. Its core functionality includes a word processor, a spreadsheet and a database management system...
  
   document
• WPT – Microsoft Works
  Microsoft Works
  Microsoft Works is an integrated package software that is produced by Microsoft. Works is smaller, less expensive, and has fewer features than Microsoft Office or other major office suites. Its core functionality includes a word processor, a spreadsheet and a database management system...
  
   document template
• WRD – WordIt! Document
• WRF – ThinkFree
  ThinkFree Office
  ThinkFree Office by Haansoft ThinkFree Co. Ltd., a subsidiary company of Haansoft Corporation, is an office suite written in Java that runs on Windows, Linux, Macintosh and Android platforms....
  
   Write
• WRI – Microsoft Write
  Windows Write
  Microsoft Write is a basic word processor that came with Microsoft Windows 1.0, Windows 2.0, and the Windows 3.x series. Throughout its lifespan it was minimally updated, and is comparable to early versions of MacWrite...
  
   document
• XHTML
  XHTML
  XHTML is a family of XML markup languages that mirror or extend versions of the widely-used Hypertext Markup Language , the language in which web pages are written....
  
   (.xhtml, .xht) – eXtensible Hyper-Text Markup Language
• XML
  XML
  Extensible Markup Language is a set of rules for encoding documents in machine-readable form. It is defined in the XML 1.0 Specification produced by the W3C, and several other related specifications, all gratis open standards....
  
   – eXtensible Markup Language
• XPS – Open XML Paper Specification

Font file

• ABF – Adobe Binary Screen Font
• AFM – Adobe Font Metrics
• BDF – Bitmap Distribution Format
  Glyph Bitmap Distribution Format
  The Glyph Bitmap Distribution Format by Adobe is a file format for storing bitmap fonts. The content is presented as a text file that is intended to be human and computer readable. BDF is typically used in Unix environments.-Overview:...
  
  
• BMF – ByteMap Font Format
• FNT – Bitmapped Font – Graphical Environment Manager
  Graphical Environment Manager
  GEM was a windowing system created by Digital Research, Inc. for use with the CP/M operating system on the Intel 8088 and Motorola 68000 microprocessors...
  
  
• FON – Bitmapped Font – Microsoft Windows
• MGF – MicroGrafx
  Micrografx
  Micrografx was a US-based software-house most notable for its graphics products. It was founded in 1982 by Paul and George Grayson and was the first company to release sophisticated graphics product for the Windows platform....
  
   Font
• OTF – OpenType
  OpenType
  OpenType is a format for scalable computer fonts. It was built on its predecessor TrueType, retaining TrueType's basic structure and adding many intricate data structures for prescribing typographic behavior...
  
   Font
• PCF – Portable Compiled Font
• PostScript
  PostScript
  PostScript is a dynamically typed concatenative programming language created by John Warnock and Charles Geschke in 1982. It is best known for its use as a page description language in the electronic and desktop publishing areas. Adobe PostScript 3 is also the worldwide printing and imaging...
  
   Font – Type 1, Type 2
  • PFA – Printer Font ASCII
  • PFB – Printer Font Binary – Adobe
  • PFM – Printer Font Metrics – Adobe
  • FOND – Font Description resource – Mac OS
• SFD – FontForge
  FontForge
  FontForge is a typeface editor program developed by George Williams. FontForge is free software and is distributed under the BSD license. FontForge is available for several operating systems and is localized in several languages.- Features :Fontforge supports many font formats, including...
  
   spline font database Font
• SNF – Server Normal Format
  Server Normal Format
  Server Normal Format is a bitmap font format used by X Window. It is one of the oldest X Window font formats. Nowadays it is rarely used, however it is still supported by the latest X.org server. SNF fonts had the problem of being platform dependent, therefore it needed to be compiled on each...
  
  
• TDF – TheDraw Font
• TFM – TeX font metric
  TeX font metric
  TeX font metric is a font file format used by the TeX typesetting system. It is a font metric format, not an outline font format like TrueType, because it provides only the information necessary to typeset the font such as each character's width, height and depth. The actual glyphs are stored...
  
  
• TTF (.ttf, .ttc) – TrueType
  TrueType
  TrueType is an outline font standard originally developed by Apple Computer in the late 1980s as a competitor to Adobe's Type 1 fonts used in PostScript...
  
   Font

Geographic information system

• APR – ESRI
  ESRI
  Esri is a software development and services company providing Geographic Information System software and geodatabase management applications. The headquarters of Esri is in Redlands, California....
  
   ArcView 3.3 and earlier project file
• DEM – USGS DEM
  USGS DEM
  The USGS DEM standard is a geospatial file format developed by the United States Geological Survey for storing a raster-based digital elevation model. It is an open standard, and is used throughout the world...
  
   file format
• E00 – ARC/INFO interchange file format
• GeoTIFF
  GeoTIFF
  GeoTIFF is a public domain metadata standard which allows georeferencing information to be embedded within a TIFF file. The potential additional information includes map projection, coordinate systems, ellipsoids, datums, and everything else necessary to establish the exact spatial reference for...
  
   – Geographically located raster data
• GPX – XML-based interchange format
• MXD – ESRI ArcGIS project file, 8.0 and higher
• SHP – ESRI shapefile
  Shapefile
  The Esri Shapefile or simply a shapefile is a popular geospatial vector data format for geographic information systems software. It is developed and regulated by Esri as a open specification for data interoperability among Esri and other software products.Shapefiles spatially describe geometries:...
  
  
• TAB – MapInfo Table file format
• World TIFF – Geographically located raster data: text file giving corner coordinate, raster cells per unit, and rotation
• DTED
  DTED
  DTED is a standard of digital datasets which consists of a matrix of terrain elevation values. This standard was originally developed in the 1970s to support aircraft radar simulation and prediction....
  
   – Digital Terrain Elevation Data
• KML
  KML
  KML or kml may refer to:* Kamileroi Airport , Queensland, Australia* Keyhole Markup Language, an XML geospatial data file format...
  
   – Keyhole Markup Language
  Keyhole Markup Language
  Keyhole Markup Language is an XML notation for expressing geographic annotation and visualization within Internet-based, two-dimensional maps and three-dimensional Earth browsers. KML was developed for use with Google Earth, which was originally named Keyhole Earth Viewer. It was created by...
  
  , XML-based

Graphical information organizers

• 3DT – 3D Topicscape
  3D Topicscape
  3D Topicscape, a software application, is a Personal Information Manager that provides a template loosely based on mind-mapping or concept mapping. It presents the mind map as a 3D scene where each node is a cone . It can also display in a 2D format...
  
   The database in which the meta-data of a 3D Topicscape is held. A 3D Topicscape is a form of 3D concept map (like a 3D mind-map) used to organize ideas, information and computer files.
• ATY – 3D Topicscape
  3D Topicscape
  3D Topicscape, a software application, is a Personal Information Manager that provides a template loosely based on mind-mapping or concept mapping. It presents the mind map as a 3D scene where each node is a cone . It can also display in a 2D format...
  
   file, produced when an association type is exported by 3D Topicscape. Used to permit round-trip (export Topicscape, change files and folders as desired, re-import them to 3D Topicscape).
• CAG – Linear Reference System
  Linear Reference System
  Linear referencing , is a reference system in which the locations of features are identified by a relative measure along a linear element, for example a milestone along a road. Each feature is located by either a point or a line...
  
  .
• FES – 3D Topicscape
  3D Topicscape
  3D Topicscape, a software application, is a Personal Information Manager that provides a template loosely based on mind-mapping or concept mapping. It presents the mind map as a 3D scene where each node is a cone . It can also display in a 2D format...
  
   file, produced when a fileless occurrence in 3D Topicscape is exported to Windows. Used to permit round-trip (export Topicscape, change files and folders as desired, re-import them to 3D Topicscape).
• MGMF – MindGenius
  MindGenius
  MindGenius is a mind mapping software application, allowing the user to capture large amounts of disparate information and view the resulting content from different viewpoints. It has been available commercially since 2001...
  
   Mind Mapping Software file format.
• MM
  Mind map
  A mind map is a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks, or other items linked to and arranged around a central key word or idea. Especially in British English, the terms spidergram and spidergraph are more common, but they can cause confusion with the term spider diagram used in mathematics...
  
   – FreeMind
  FreeMind
  FreeMind is a free mind mapping application written in Java. FreeMind is licensed under the GNU General Public License. It provides extensive export capabilities. It runs on Microsoft Windows, Linux and Mac OS X via the Java Runtime Environment....
  
   mind map file (XML).
• MMP – Mind Manager mind map file.
• TPC – 3D Topicscape
  3D Topicscape
  3D Topicscape, a software application, is a Personal Information Manager that provides a template loosely based on mind-mapping or concept mapping. It presents the mind map as a 3D scene where each node is a cone . It can also display in a 2D format...
  
   file, produced when an inter-Topicscape topic link file is exported to Windows. Used to permit round-trip (export Topicscape, change files and folders as desired, re-import them to 3D Topicscape).

Color palettes

• ACT – Adobe Color Table. Contains a raw color palette and consists of 256 24-bit RGB colour values.
• PAL – Microsoft palette file

Raster graphics

Raster (or Bitmap)

Raster graphics

In computer graphics, a raster graphics image, or bitmap, is a data structure representing a generally rectangular grid of pixels, or points of color, viewable via a monitor, paper, or other display medium...

 files store images as a group of pixel

Pixel

In digital imaging, a pixel, or pel, is a single point in a raster image, or the smallest addressable screen element in a display device; it is the smallest unit of picture that can be represented or controlled....

s.

• ASE – Adobe Swatch
• ART
  ART image file format
  ART is a proprietary image file format used mostly by the America Online service and client software.- Technical details :The ART format holds a single still image that has been highly compressed. The format was designed to facilitate the quick downloading of images, among other things...
  
   – America Online proprietary format
• BMP
  Windows bitmap
  The BMP File Format, also known as Bitmap Image File or Device Independent Bitmap file format or simply a Bitmap, is a Raster graphics image file format used to store bitmap digital images, independently of the display device , especially on Microsoft Windows and OS/2 operating systems.The BMP...
  
   – Microsoft Windows
  Microsoft Windows
  Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
  
   Bitmap formatted image
• BLP
  .BLP
  .BLP files are texture files used in video games made by Blizzard Entertainment, also used in other games like Neverwinter Nights. While Blizzard provides an Interface AddOn Kit for extracting the user interface files from the World of Warcraft .MPQ archive files, they do not provide a utility to...
  
   – Blizzard Entertainment
  Blizzard Entertainment
  Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. is an American video game developer and publisher founded on February 8, 1991 under the name Silicon & Synapse by three graduates of UCLA, Michael Morhaime, Allen Adham and Frank Pearce and currently owned by French company Activision Blizzard...
  
   proprietary texture format
• CIT – Intergraph is a monochrome bitmap format
• CPT – Corel PHOTO-PAINT
  Corel PHOTO-PAINT
  Corel PHOTO-PAINT is a raster graphics editor developed and marketed by Corel since 1992. Corel currently markets the software for Windows operating systems, previously having marketed versions for Linux and Mac OS...
  
   image
• CUT – Dr. Halo image file
• DDS
  DirectDraw Surface
  The DirectDraw Surface file format , from Microsoft, is a standard for storing data compressed with the lossy S3 Texture Compression algorithm, which can be decompressed in hardware by GPUs and consoles like the Playstation Portable, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360...
  
   – DirectX texture file
• DIB
  Windows bitmap
  The BMP File Format, also known as Bitmap Image File or Device Independent Bitmap file format or simply a Bitmap, is a Raster graphics image file format used to store bitmap digital images, independently of the display device , especially on Microsoft Windows and OS/2 operating systems.The BMP...
  
   – Device-Independent Bitmap graphic
• DjVu
  DjVu
  DjVu is a computer file format designed primarily to store scanned documents, especially those containing a combination of text, line drawings, and photographs. It uses technologies such as image layer separation of text and background/images, progressive loading, arithmetic coding, and lossy...
  
   – DjVu for scanned documents
• EGT – EGT Universal Document, used in EGT SmartSense to compress PNG files to yet a smaller file
• Exif
  Exchangeable image file format
  Exchangeable image file format is a standard that specifies the formats for images, sound, and ancillary tags used by digital cameras , scanners and other systems handling image and sound files recorded by digital cameras...
  
   – Exchangeable image file format (Exif) is a specification for the image file format used by digital cameras
• GIF – CompuServe
  CompuServe
  CompuServe was the first major commercial online service in the United States. It dominated the field during the 1980s and remained a major player through the mid-1990s, when it was sidelined by the rise of services such as AOL with monthly subscriptions rather than hourly rates...
  
  's Graphics Interchange Format
• GPL – GIMP Palette, using a textual representation of color names and RGB values
• ICNS
  Apple Icon Image
  The Apple Icon Image format is the icon format used in Apple Inc.'s Mac OS X. It supports icons of 16×16, 32×32, 48×48, 128×128, 256×256 and 512×512 pixels, with both 1- and 8-bit alpha channels and multiple image states...
  
   – file format use for icons
  Icon (computing)
  A computer icon is a pictogram displayed on a computer screen and used to navigate a computer system or mobile device. The icon itself is a small picture or symbol serving as a quick, intuitive representation of a software tool, function or a data file accessible on the system. It functions as an...
  
  in Mac OS X
  Mac OS X
  Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
  
  . Contains bitmap images at multiple resolutions and bitdepths with alpha channel.
• ICO
  ICO (icon image file format)
  The ICO file format is an image file format for computer icons in Microsoft Windows. ICO files contain one or more small images at multiple sizes and color depths, such that they may be scaled appropriately...
  
   – a file format used for icons
  Icon (computing)
  A computer icon is a pictogram displayed on a computer screen and used to navigate a computer system or mobile device. The icon itself is a small picture or symbol serving as a quick, intuitive representation of a software tool, function or a data file accessible on the system. It functions as an...
  
  in Microsoft Windows
  Microsoft Windows
  Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
  
  . Contains small bitmap images at multiple resolutions and sizes.
• IFF (.iff, .ilbm, .lbm) – ILBM
  ILBM
  ILBM is a subtype of the Interchange File Format used for storing picture data. ILBM stands for InterLeaved BitMap which refers to the way the pictures are stored. The image data is stored as a varying number of bitplanes, each storing one bit of data for each pixel in the image...
  
  
• JNG – a single-frame MNG using JPEG
  JPEG
  In computing, JPEG . The degree of compression can be adjusted, allowing a selectable tradeoff between storage size and image quality. JPEG typically achieves 10:1 compression with little perceptible loss in image quality....
  
   compression and possibly an alpha channel.
• JPEG
  JPEG
  In computing, JPEG . The degree of compression can be adjusted, allowing a selectable tradeoff between storage size and image quality. JPEG typically achieves 10:1 compression with little perceptible loss in image quality....
  
  , JFIF (.jpg or .jpeg) – Joint Photographic Experts Group – a lossy image format widely used to display photographic images.
• JP2
  JPEG 2000
  JPEG 2000 is an image compression standard and coding system. It was created by the Joint Photographic Experts Group committee in 2000 with the intention of superseding their original discrete cosine transform-based JPEG standard with a newly designed, wavelet-based method...
  
   – JPEG2000
• JPS – JPEG Stereo
• LBM – Deluxe Paint
  Deluxe Paint
  Deluxe Paint is a bitmap graphics editor series originally created by Dan Silva for Electronic Arts .The original version was created for the Commodore Amiga and was released in November 1985...
  
   image file
• MAX – ScanSoft PaperPort
  PaperPort
  PaperPort is a computer software program designed to help organize digital documents and files, published by Nuance Communications. PaperPort uses the .MAX file format natively, while newer versions of PaperPort can also use .PDF. PaperPort also supports the stacking and unstacking of documents,...
  
   document
• MIFF – ImageMagick
  ImageMagick
  ImageMagick is an open source software suite for displaying, converting, and editing raster image files. It can read and write over 100 image file formats. ImageMagick is licensed under the Apache 2.0 license.- Features and capabilities:...
  
  's native file format
• MNG – Multiple Network Graphics, the animated version of PNG
• MSP – a file format used by old versions of Microsoft Paint. Replaced with BMP in Microsoft Windows
  Microsoft Windows
  Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
  
   3.0
• NITF – A U.S. Government standard commonly used in Intelligence
  Intelligence (information gathering)
  Intelligence assessment is the development of forecasts of behaviour or recommended courses of action to the leadership of an organization, based on a wide range of available information sources both overt and covert. Assessments are developed in response to requirements declared by the leadership...
  
   systems
• OTA bitmap
  OTA Bitmap
  -Introduction:The OTA or Over The Air Bitmap was defined by Nokia Corporation as part of their Smart Messaging Specification, to send pictures as a series of one or more concatenated SMS text messages. The format has a maximum size of 255x255 pixels. It is very rare for an OTA bitmap to measure...
  
   (Over The Air bitmap) – a specification designed by Nokia
  Nokia
  Nokia Corporation is a Finnish multinational communications corporation that is headquartered in Keilaniemi, Espoo, a city neighbouring Finland's capital Helsinki...
  
   for black and white images for mobile phone
  Mobile phone
  A mobile phone is a device which can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link whilst moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile network operator...
  
  s
• PBM – Portable bitmap
• PC1 – Low resolution, compressed Degas picture file
• PC2 – Medium resolution, compressed Degas picture file
• PC3 – High resolution, compressed Degas picture file
• PCF – Pixel Coordination Format
• PCX
  PCX
  PCX is an image file format developed by the now-defunct ZSoft Corporation of Marietta, Georgia. It was the native file format for PC Paintbrush and became one of the first widely accepted DOS imaging standards, although it has since been succeeded by more sophisticated image formats, such as GIF,...
  
   – a lossless format used by ZSoft's PC Paint, popular at one time on DOS
  MS-DOS
  MS-DOS is an operating system for x86-based personal computers. It was the most commonly used member of the DOS family of operating systems, and was the main operating system for IBM PC compatible personal computers during the 1980s to the mid 1990s, until it was gradually superseded by operating...
  
   systems.

• PDN – Paint.NET
  Paint.NET
  Paint.NET is a proprietary freeware raster graphics editor program for Microsoft Windows, developed on the .NET Framework. Originally created by Rick Brewster as a Washington State University student project, Paint.NET has evolved from a simple replacement for the Microsoft Paint program, which is...
  
   image file
• PGM – Portable graymap
• PI1 – Low resolution, uncompressed Degas picture file
• PI2 – Medium resolution, uncompressed Degas picture file. Also Portrait Innovations encrypted image format.
• PI3 – High resolution, uncompressed Degas picture file
• PICT
  PICT
  PICT is a graphics file format introduced on the original Apple Macintosh computer as its standard metafile format. It allows the interchange of graphics , and some limited text support, between Mac applications, and was the native graphics format of QuickDraw.The original version, PICT 1, was...
  
  , PCT – Apple Macintosh PICT image
• PNG – Portable Network Graphic (lossless, recommended for display and edition of graphic images)
• PNM – Portable anymap graphic bitmap image
• PNS – PNS – PNG Stereo
• PPM – Portable Pixmap
  Portable pixmap
  The phrase Netpbm format commonly refers to any or all of the members of a set of closely related graphics formats used and defined by the Netpbm project....
  
   (Pixel Map) image
• PSB – Adobe Photoshop Big image file (for large files)
• PSD, PDD – Adobe Photoshop
  Adobe Photoshop
  Adobe Photoshop is a graphics editing program developed and published by Adobe Systems Incorporated.Adobe's 2003 "Creative Suite" rebranding led to Adobe Photoshop 8's renaming to Adobe Photoshop CS. Thus, Adobe Photoshop CS5 is the 12th major release of Adobe Photoshop...
  
   Drawing
• PSP – Paint Shop Pro image
• PX – Pixel image editor
  Pixel image editor
  Pixel Image Editor is an Image editor written by the Slovak programmer Pavel Kanzelsberger. It is written with Free Pascal.-Features:...
  
   image file
• PXR – Pixar Image Computer
  Pixar Image Computer
  The Pixar Image Computer was a graphics designing computer originally developed by the Computer Division of Lucasfilm, later renamed Pixar after being purchased by Steve Jobs on February 3, 1986. The name Pixar, which was coined by Alvy Ray Smith, Loren Carpenter and Rodney Stock, is a made-up...
  
   image file
• QFX – QuickLink Fax image
• RAW
  RAW image format
  A camera raw image file contains minimally processed data from the image sensor of either a digital camera, image scanner, or motion picture film scanner. Raw files are so named because they are not yet processed and therefore are not ready to be printed or edited with a bitmap graphics editor...
  
   – General term for minimally processed image data (acquired by a digital camera
  Digital camera
  A digital camera is a camera that takes video or still photographs, or both, digitally by recording images via an electronic image sensor. It is the main device used in the field of digital photography...
  
  )
• RLE – a run-length encoded
  Run-length encoding
  Run-length encoding is a very simple form of data compression in which runs of data are stored as a single data value and count, rather than as the original run...
  
   image
• SCT – Scitex Continuous Tone image file
• SGI, RGB, INT, BW – Silicon Graphics Image
  Silicon Graphics Image
  Silicon Graphics Image or the RGB file format is the native raster graphics file format for Silicon Graphics workstations.Common file endings are:*SGI or RGB 3 colour channels*RGBA 3 colour channels and alpha...
  
  
• TGA (.tga, .targa, .icb, .vda, .vst, .pix) – Truevision
  Truevision
  Truevision, Inc. was a maker of digital video processing add-on boards for PC computers. It was founded by Cathleen Asch, Carl Calabria, Joseph Haaf, Bryan Hunt, Brad Pillow, Joe Shepard and Jeff Walters and others when AT&T split off their Electronic Photography and Imaging Center in 1987...
  
   TGA (Targa) image
• TIFF
  Tagged Image File Format
  TIFF is a file format for storing images, popular among graphic artists, the publishing industry, and both amateur and professional photographers in general. As of 2009, it is under the control of Adobe Systems...
  
   (.tif or .tiff) – Tagged Image File Format (usually lossless, but many variants exist, including lossy ones)
• TIFF/EP
  Tag Image File Format / Electronic Photography
  "Tag Image File Format / Electronic Photography" is a digital image file format standard – ISO 12234-2, titled "Electronic still-picture imaging – Removable memory – Part 2: TIFF/EP image data format"...
  
   (.tif or .tiff) – ISO 12234-2; tends to be used as a basis for other formats rather than in its own right.
• VTF - Valve Texture Format
• XBM – X Window System
  X Window System
  The X window system is a computer software system and network protocol that provides a basis for graphical user interfaces and rich input device capability for networked computers...
  
   Bitmap
• XCF – GIMP
  GIMP
  GIMP is a free software raster graphics editor. It is primarily employed as an image retouching and editing tool and is freely available in versions tailored for most popular operating systems including Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS X, and Linux.In addition to detailed image retouching and...
  
   image (from Gimp's origin at the eXperimental Computing Facility
  EXperimental Computing Facility
  Founded in 1986, the eXperimental Computing Facility is an undergraduate computing-interest organization...
  
   of the University of California
  University of California
  The University of California is a public university system in the U.S. state of California. Under the California Master Plan for Higher Education, the University of California is a part of the state's three-tier public higher education system, which also includes the California State University...
  
  )
• XPM
  XPM (image format)
  X Pixmap is an image file format used by the X Window System, created in 1989 by Daniel Dardailler and Colas Nahaboo working at Bull Research Center at Sophia Antipolis, France, and later enhanced by Arnaud Le Hors....
  
   – X Window System Pixmap

Vector graphics

Vector graphics

Vector graphics

Vector graphics is the use of geometrical primitives such as points, lines, curves, and shapes or polygon, which are all based on mathematical expressions, to represent images in computer graphics...

 use geometric primitives such as points, lines, curves, and polygons to represent images.

• AMF
  Additive Manufacturing File Format
  Additive Manufacturing File Format is an open standard for describing objects for additive manufacturing processes such as 3D printing. The official ASTM F2915standard is an XML-based format designed to allow any computer-aided design software to describe the shape and composition of any 3D object...
  
   – Additive Manufacturing File Format
• AWG – Ability Draw
• 3DV – 3-D wireframe graphics by Oscar Garcia
• AI
  Adobe Illustrator Artwork
  Adobe Illustrator Artwork is a proprietary file format developed by Adobe Systems for representing single-page vector-based drawings in either the EPS or PDF formats...
  
   – Adobe Illustrator
  Adobe Illustrator
  Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics editor developed and marketed by Adobe Systems. Illustrator is similar in scope, intended market, and functionality to its competitors, CorelDraw, Xara Designer Pro and Macromedia FreeHand....
  
   Document
• EPS
  Encapsulated PostScript
  Encapsulated PostScript, or EPS, is a DSC-conforming PostScript document with additional restrictions which is intended to be usable as a graphics file format...
  
   – Encapsulated Postscript
• CGM
  Computer Graphics Metafile
  Computer Graphics Metafile is a free and open international standard file format for 2D vector graphics, raster graphics, and text, and is defined by ISO/IEC 8632.-Overview:...
  
   – Computer Graphics Metafile an ISO
  International Organization for Standardization
  The International Organization for Standardization , widely known as ISO, is an international standard-setting body composed of representatives from various national standards organizations. Founded on February 23, 1947, the organization promulgates worldwide proprietary, industrial and commercial...
  
   Standard
• CDR – CorelDRAW
  CorelDRAW
  CorelDRAW is a vector graphics editor developed and marketed by Corel Corporation of Ottawa, Canada. It is also the name of Corel's Graphics Suite...
  
   Document
• CMX – CorelDRAW
  CorelDRAW
  CorelDRAW is a vector graphics editor developed and marketed by Corel Corporation of Ottawa, Canada. It is also the name of Corel's Graphics Suite...
  
   vector image
• DXF
  AutoCAD DXF
  AutoCAD DXF is a CAD data file format developed by Autodesk for enabling data interoperability between AutoCAD and other programs....
  
   – ASCII Drawing Interchange file Format, used in AutoCAD
  AutoCAD
  AutoCAD is a software application for computer-aided design and drafting in both 2D and 3D. It is developed and sold by Autodesk, Inc. First released in December 1982, AutoCAD was one of the first CAD programs to run on personal computers, notably the IBM PC...
  
   and other CAD-programs
• E2D – 2-dimensional vector graphics used by the editor which is included in JFire
  JFire
  JFire is an Enterprise Resource Planning and Customer Relationship Management system.The system has been written entirely in Java and is based on the technologies Java EE 5 , JDO 2, Eclipse RCP 3...
  
  
• EGT – EGT Universal Document, EGT Vector Draw images are used to draw vector to a website
• ODG – OpenDocument
  OpenDocument
  The Open Document Format for Office Applications is an XML-based file format for representing electronic documents such as spreadsheets, charts, presentations and word processing documents....
  
   Drawing
• SVG
  Scalable Vector Graphics
  Scalable Vector Graphics is a family of specifications of an XML-based file format for describing two-dimensional vector graphics, both static and dynamic . The SVG specification is an open standard that has been under development by the World Wide Web Consortium since 1999.SVG images and their...
  
   – Scalable Vector Graphics, employs XML
  XML
  Extensible Markup Language is a set of rules for encoding documents in machine-readable form. It is defined in the XML 1.0 Specification produced by the W3C, and several other related specifications, all gratis open standards....
  
  
• Scene description language
  Scene description language
  A scene description language refers to any description language used to describe a scene to be rendered by a 3D renderer such as a ray tracer....
  
  s (3D vector image formats)
  • MOVIE.BYU
  • RenderMan
    RenderMan Interface Specification
    The RenderMan Interface Specification, or RISpec in short, is an open API developed by Pixar Animation Studios to describe three-dimensional scenes and turn them into digital photorealistic images...
    
    
  • STL
    STL (file format)
    STL is a file format native to the stereolithography CAD software created by 3D Systems. This file format is supported by many other software packages; it is widely used for rapid prototyping and computer-aided manufacturing. STL files describe only the surface geometry of a three dimensional...
    
     – Stereo Lithographic data format (see STL (file format)
    STL (file format)
    STL is a file format native to the stereolithography CAD software created by 3D Systems. This file format is supported by many other software packages; it is widely used for rapid prototyping and computer-aided manufacturing. STL files describe only the surface geometry of a three dimensional...
    
    ) used by various CAD systems and stereo lithographic printing machines. See above.
  • VRML
    VRML
    VRML is a standard file format for representing 3-dimensional interactive vector graphics, designed particularly with the World Wide Web in mind...
    
     Uses .wrl extension – Virtual Reality Modeling Language, for the creation of 3D viewable web images.
  • X3D
    X3D
    X3D is the ISO standard XML-based file format for representing 3D computer graphics, the successor to the Virtual Reality Modeling Language . X3D features extensions to VRML X3D is the ISO standard XML-based file format for representing 3D computer graphics, the successor to the Virtual Reality...
    
    
• SXD – OpenOffice.org XML
  OpenOffice.org XML
  OpenOffice.org XML is an open XML-based file format developed as an open community effort by Sun Microsystems and other OpenOffice.org project contributors in 2000-2002. The open-source software application suite OpenOffice.org 1.x and StarOffice 6 used the format as their native and default file...
  
   (obsolete) Drawing
• V2D – voucher design used by the voucher management included in JFire
  JFire
  JFire is an Enterprise Resource Planning and Customer Relationship Management system.The system has been written entirely in Java and is based on the technologies Java EE 5 , JDO 2, Eclipse RCP 3...
  
  
• WMF
  Windows Metafile
  Windows Metafile is a graphics file format on Microsoft Windows systems, originally designed in the 1990s. Windows Metafiles are intended to be portable between applications and may contain both vector graphics and bitmap components....
  
   – Windows Meta File
• EMF – Enhanced (Windows) MetaFile, an extension to WMF
• ART – Xara
  Xara
  Xara is a UK-based software company founded in 1981. It has developed software for a variety of computer platforms, in chronological order: The Acorn Atom, BBC Micro, Z88, Atari ST, Acorn Archimedes, Microsoft Windows and Linux. It was originally called Computer Concepts, Ltd.; the company name...
  
   – Drawing (superseded by XAR)
• XAR – Xara
  Xara
  Xara is a UK-based software company founded in 1981. It has developed software for a variety of computer platforms, in chronological order: The Acorn Atom, BBC Micro, Z88, Atari ST, Acorn Archimedes, Microsoft Windows and Linux. It was originally called Computer Concepts, Ltd.; the company name...
  
   – Drawing

3D graphics

3D graphics

3D computer graphics

3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images...

 are 3D models that allow building models in real-time or non real-time 3D rendering.

• 3DMF – QuickDraw 3D Metafile (.3dmf)
• 3DM – OpenNURBS Initiative 3D Model (used by Rhinoceros 3D) (.3dm)
• 3DS
  .3ds
  3DS is one of the file formats used by the Autodesk 3ds Max 3D modeling, animation and rendering software.It was the native file format of the old Autodesk 3D Studio DOS , which was popular until its successor replaced it in April 1996...
  
   – Legacy 3D Studio Model (.3ds)
• AC – AC3D
  AC3D
  AC3D is a 3D design program which has been available since 1994. The software is used by designers for modeling 3D graphics for games and simulations - most notably it is used by the scenery creators at Laminar Research on the X-Plane...
  
   Model (.ac)
• AMF
  Additive Manufacturing File Format
  Additive Manufacturing File Format is an open standard for describing objects for additive manufacturing processes such as 3D printing. The official ASTM F2915standard is an XML-based format designed to allow any computer-aided design software to describe the shape and composition of any 3D object...
  
   – Additive Manufacturing File Format
• AN8 – Anim8or
  Anim8or
  Anim8or is a freeware OpenGL based 3D modeling and animation program by R. Steven Glanville, a software engineer at NVidia. Currently at version 0.97, it is a compact program with several tools which would normally be expected in high-end, paid software...
  
   Model (.an8)
• AOI – Art of Illusion
  Art of Illusion
  Art of Illusion is a software package used for 3D modeling, texturing, ray tracing, and otherwise rendering computer generated imagery stills or animations ....
  
   Model (.aoi)
• B3D – Blitz3D
  Blitz BASIC
  Blitz BASIC refers to the programming language dialect that was interpreted by the first Blitz compilers, devised by New Zealand-based developer Mark Sibly. Being derived from BASIC, Blitz syntax was designed to be easy to pick-up for beginners first learning to program...
  
   Model (.b3d)
• BLEND – Blender
  Blender (software)
  Blender is a free and open-source 3D computer graphics software product used for creating animated films, visual effects, interactive 3D applications or video games. The current release version is 2.60, and was released on October 19, 2011...
  
   (.blend)
• BLOCK – Blender
  Blender (software)
  Blender is a free and open-source 3D computer graphics software product used for creating animated films, visual effects, interactive 3D applications or video games. The current release version is 2.60, and was released on October 19, 2011...
  
   encrypted blend files (.block)
• C4D – Cinema 4D
  Cinema 4D
  CINEMA 4D is a 3D modeling, animation and rendering application developed by MAXON Computer GmbH of Friedrichsdorf, Germany. It is capable of procedural and polygonal/subd modeling, animating, lighting, texturing, rendering, and common features found in 3d modelling applications.- Overview:The...
  
   (.c4d)
• Cal3D – Cal3D
  Cal3D
  Cal3D is a skeletal animation based 3D character animation library written in C++ in a platform-/graphic API-independent way. Originally designed to be used in a 3D client for Worldforge, it evolved into a stand-alone product which can be used in many different kinds of projects...
  
   (.cal3d)
• CCP4
  CCP4 (file format)
  The CCP4 file format is file generated by the Collaborative Computational Project Number 4 in 1979. The file format for electron density has become industry standard in X-ray crystallography and Cryo-electron microscopy where the result of the technique is a three-dimensional grid of voxels each...
  
   – X-ray crystallography voxels (electron density)
• CFL – Compressed File Library
  Compressed File Library
  A compressed file library is designed to work as a virtual file system for programs, usually games. It is able to keep the number of file accesses down, all game resources can be compressed, and encrypted. CFL is used by X-Forge, the multi-platform wireless 3D game engine by Fathammer Ltd. It is...
  
   (.cfl)
• COB – Caligari Object
  TrueSpace
  TrueSpace is a freeware 3D computer graphics and animation software developed by Caligari Corporation, bought-out by Microsoft. As of May 2009, it has been officially discontinued, but with some 'unofficial support' up to February 2010, at least.- History :The company was founded in 1985 by Roman...
  
   (.cob)
• CORE3D – Coreona 3D Coreona 3D Virtual File(.core3d)
• CTM – OpenCTM
  OpenCTM
  OpenCTM is a 3D geometry technology for storing triangle-basedmeshes in a compact format.- Overview :OpenCTM is an open source project that has evolved around a technology for compressing 3D triangle meshes...
  
   (.ctm)
• DAE – COLLADA
  COLLADA
  COLLADA is a COLLAborative Design Activity for establishing an interchange file format for interactive 3D applications. COLLADA is managed by the nonprofit technology consortium, the Khronos Group....
  
   (.dae)
• DFF – RenderWare
  RenderWare
  RenderWare is a computer and video game middleware from British games developer Criterion Software.-Overview:RenderWare is a 3D API and graphics rendering engine used in video games, Active Worlds, and some VRML browsers...
  
   binary stream, commonly used by Grand Theft Auto III
  Grand Theft Auto III
  Grand Theft Auto III is a 2001 open world action computer and video game developed by DMA Design in the United Kingdom, and published by Rockstar Games. It is the first 3D title in the Grand Theft Auto series. It was released in October 2001 for the PlayStation 2, May 2002 for Microsoft Windows,...
  
  -era games as well as other RenderWare titles
• DPM – deepMesh (.dpm)
• DTS – Torque Game Engine
  Torque Game Engine
  The Torque Game Engine, or TGE, is a 3D computer game engine originally developed by Dynamix for the 2001 FPS Tribes 2. The Torque engine and its many derivative products are available for license from GarageGames, a company formed by many members of the Tribes 2 team at Dynamix...
  
   (.dts)
• EGG – Panda3D
  Panda3D
  Panda3D is a game engine which includes graphics, audio, I/O, collision detection, and other abilities relevant to the creation of 3D games.Panda3D is open source and, as of May 28, 2008, free software under the revised BSD license. Releases prior to May 28, 2008 are not considered Free Software...
  
   Engine
• FACT – Electric Image (.fac)
• FBX – Autodesk FBX
  FBX
  FBX is technology and a file format owned and developed by Autodesk. It is used to provide interoperability between digital content creation applications.-History:...
  
   (.fbx)
• G – BRL-CAD
  BRL-CAD
  BRL-CAD is a constructive solid geometry solid modeling computer-aided design system. It includes an interactive geometry editor, ray tracing support for graphics rendering and geometric analysis, computer network distributed framebuffer support, scripting, image-processing and signal-processing...
  
   geometry (.g)
• GLM – Ghoul Mesh (.glm)
• JAS – Cheetah 3D file (.jas)
• LWO – Lightwave
  LightWave
  LightWave 3D is a high end computer graphics program developed by NewTek. The latest release of LightWave runs on Windows and Mac OS X.- Overview:...
  
   Object (.lwo)
• LWS – Lightwave
  LightWave
  LightWave 3D is a high end computer graphics program developed by NewTek. The latest release of LightWave runs on Windows and Mac OS X.- Overview:...
  
   Scene (.lws)
• LXO – Luxology Modo (software)
  Modo (software)
  modo is a polygon and subdivision surface modeling, sculpting, 3D painting, animation and rendering package developed by Luxology, LLC. The program incorporates features such as n-gons, 3D painting and edge weighting, and runs on Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows platforms.-History:modo was created...
  
   file (.lxo)
• MA – Autodesk Maya
  Maya (software)
  Autodesk Maya , commonly shortened to Maya, is 3D computer graphics software that runs on Microsoft Windows, Mac OS and Linux, originally developed by Alias Systems Corporation and currently owned and developed by Autodesk, Inc. It is used to create interactive 3D applications, including video...
  
   ASCII File (.ma)
• MAX – Autodesk 3D Studio Max
  3D Studio Max
  Autodesk 3ds Max, formerly 3D Studio MAX, is for making 3D animations. It was developed and produced by Autodesk Media and Entertainment. It has modeling capabilities, a flexible plugin architecture and can be used on the Microsoft Windows platform. It's frequently used by video game developers, TV...
  
   file (.max)
• MB – Autodesk Maya
  Maya (software)
  Autodesk Maya , commonly shortened to Maya, is 3D computer graphics software that runs on Microsoft Windows, Mac OS and Linux, originally developed by Alias Systems Corporation and currently owned and developed by Autodesk, Inc. It is used to create interactive 3D applications, including video...
  
   Binary File (.mb)
• MD2
  MD2 (file format)
  MD2 is a model format used by id Software's id Tech 2 engine and is thus used by Quake II as well as many other games, most of them using this engine, including SiN and Soldier of Fortune. The format is primarily used for animated player models although it can also be used for static models...
  
   – Quake 2 model format (.md2)
• MD3
  MD3 (file format)
  MD3 is a model format used by the Quake 3 engine as well as its many mods. The format is used mostly for player models and non-structural geometry although it may be used for structural uses. The format does not support skeletal animation...
  
   – Quake 3 model format (.md3)
• MDX – Blizzard Entertainment
  Blizzard Entertainment
  Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. is an American video game developer and publisher founded on February 8, 1991 under the name Silicon & Synapse by three graduates of UCLA, Michael Morhaime, Allen Adham and Frank Pearce and currently owned by French company Activision Blizzard...
  
  's own model format (.mdx)
• MESH – New York University(.m)
• MESH – Meshwork Model (.mesh)
• MM3D – Misfit Model 3d
  Misfit Model 3d
  Misfit Model 3d is a 3D computer graphics editor that works with triangle-based models.It is designed to be easy to use and easy to extend with plugins and scripts.Misfit Model 3d is free software and distributed under GNU General Public License.-Features:...
  
   (.mm3d)
• MPO - Multi-Picture Object - This JPEG standard is used for 3d images, as with the Nintendo 3DS
• MRC
  MRC (file format)
  The MRC file format is a file format for electron density has become industry standard in Cryo-electron microscopy where the result of the technique is a three-dimensional grid of voxels each with a value corresponding to density of electrons The MRC format is supported by almost every molecular...
  
   – voxels in cryo-electron microscopy
• NIF – Gamebryo
  Gamebryo
  Gamebryo is a game engine, originally from Numerical Design Limited , and the successor to NDL's NetImmerse engine.Since the creation of Gamebryo, NDL merged into Emergent Game Technologies...
  
   NetImmerse File (.nif)
• OBJ – Wavefront .obj file (.obj)
• OFF – OFF Object file format (.off)
• PRC – Adobe PRC
  PRC (file format)
  PRC is a 3D file format that can be used to embed 3D data in a PDF file.This highly compressed format facilitates the storage of different representations of a 3D model. For example, you can save only a visual representation that consists of polygons , or you can save the model's exact geometry...
  
   (embedded in PDF files)
• POV – POV-Ray
  POV-Ray
  The Persistence of Vision Raytracer, or POV-Ray, is a ray tracing program available for a variety of computer platforms. It was originally based on DKBTrace, written by David Kirk Buck and Aaron A. Collins. There are also influences from the earlier Polyray raytracer contributed by its author...
  
   document (.pov)
• RWX – RenderWare
  RenderWare
  RenderWare is a computer and video game middleware from British games developer Criterion Software.-Overview:RenderWare is a 3D API and graphics rendering engine used in video games, Active Worlds, and some VRML browsers...
  
   Object (.rwx)
• SIA – Nevercenter Silo Object (.sia)
• SIB – Nevercenter Silo Object (.sib)
• SKP – Google Sketchup file (.skp)
• SLDASM – SolidWorks
  SolidWorks
  SolidWorks is a 3D mechanical CAD program that runs on Microsoft Windows and is being developed by Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp., a subsidiary of Dassault Systèmes, S. A. . SolidWorks is currently used by over 1.3 million engineers and designers at more than 130,000 companies worldwide...
  
   Assembly Document (.sldasm)
• SLDPRT – SolidWorks
  SolidWorks
  SolidWorks is a 3D mechanical CAD program that runs on Microsoft Windows and is being developed by Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp., a subsidiary of Dassault Systèmes, S. A. . SolidWorks is currently used by over 1.3 million engineers and designers at more than 130,000 companies worldwide...
  
   Part Document (.sldprt)
• SMD – Valve
  Valve
  A valve is a device that regulates, directs or controls the flow of a fluid by opening, closing, or partially obstructing various passageways. Valves are technically pipe fittings, but are usually discussed as a separate category...
  
   Studiomdl Data format. (.smd)
• U3D – Universal 3D
  Universal 3D
  Universal 3D is a compressed file format standard for 3D computer graphics data.The format was defined by a special consortium called 3D Industry Forum that brought together a diverse group of companies and organizations, including Intel, Boeing, HP, Adobe Systems, Bentley Systems, Right...
  
   file format (.u3d)
• VUE – Vue scene file (.vue)
• WINGS – Wings3D (.wings)
• X – DirectX 3D Model
  DirectX
  Microsoft DirectX is a collection of application programming interfaces for handling tasks related to multimedia, especially game programming and video, on Microsoft platforms. Originally, the names of these APIs all began with Direct, such as Direct3D, DirectDraw, DirectMusic, DirectPlay,...
  
   (.x)
• X3D – Extensible 3D (.x3d)
• Z3D – Zmodeler
  Zmodeler
  ZModeler is a 3D modeling application developed by Oleg Melashenko. It is aimed at modelers who model for computer games such as 18 Wheels of Steel, Grand Theft Auto, Need for Speed, Midtown Madness or similar video games.- ZModeler versions :ZModeler is capable of complex modeling...
  
   (.z3d)

Object code, executable files, shared and dynamically-linked libraries

• .8BF files – plugins for some photo editing programs including Adobe Photoshop
  Adobe Photoshop
  Adobe Photoshop is a graphics editing program developed and published by Adobe Systems Incorporated.Adobe's 2003 "Creative Suite" rebranding led to Adobe Photoshop 8's renaming to Adobe Photoshop CS. Thus, Adobe Photoshop CS5 is the 12th major release of Adobe Photoshop...
  
  , Paint Shop Pro, GIMP
  GIMP
  GIMP is a free software raster graphics editor. It is primarily employed as an image retouching and editing tool and is freely available in versions tailored for most popular operating systems including Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS X, and Linux.In addition to detailed image retouching and...
  
   and Helicon Filter
  Helicon Filter
  Helicon Filter, also referred to as Helicon, Filter, or as HF, is a proprietary commercial and shareware photo editing software program for Microsoft Windows, similar to such programs as Adobe Photoshop and GIMP, developed and published by Helicon Soft Ltd...
  
  .
• .a – static library
• a.out
  A.out (file format)
  a.out is a file format used in older versions of Unix-like computer operating systems for executables, object code, and, in later systems, shared libraries...
  
   – (no suffix for executable image, .o for object files, .so for shared object files) classic UNIX
  Unix
  Unix is a multitasking, multi-user computer operating system originally developed in 1969 by a group of AT&T employees at Bell Labs, including Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, Brian Kernighan, Douglas McIlroy, and Joe Ossanna...
  
   object format, now often superseded by ELF
• APP – apple application program executable file. Another form of zip file.
• BAC – an executable image for the RSTS/E
  RSTS/E
  RSTS is a multi-user time-sharing operating system, developed by Digital Equipment Corporation , for the PDP-11 series of 16-bit minicomputers. The first version of RSTS was implemented in 1970 by DEC software engineers that developed the TSS-8 time-sharing operating system for the PDP-8...
  
   system, created using the BASIC-PLUS
  BASIC-PLUS
  BASIC-PLUS was an extended dialect of the BASIC programming language developed by Digital Equipment Corporation for use on its RSTS/E time-sharing operating system for the PDP-11 series of 16-bit minicomputers in the early 1970s through the 1980s....
  
   COMPILE command
• BPL – a Win32 PE file created with Borland Delphi
  Borland Delphi
  Embarcadero Delphi is an integrated development environment for console, desktop graphical, web, and mobile applications.Delphi's compilers use its own Object Pascal dialect of Pascal and generate native code for 32- and 64-bit Windows operating systems, as well as 32-bit Mac OS X and iOS...
  
   or C++Builder containing a package.
• Bundle – a Macintosh plugin created with Xcode
  Xcode
  Xcode is a suite of tools, developed by Apple, for developing software for Mac OS X and iOS. Xcode 4.2, the latest major version, is available on the Mac App Store for free for Mac OS X 10.7 , and on the Apple Developer Connection website for free to registered developers Xcode is a suite of tools,...
  
   or make which holds executable code, data files, and folders for that code.
• .Class
  Class (file format)
  In the Java programming language, source files are compiled into machine-readable class files which have a .class extension. Since Java is a platform-independent language, source code is compiled into an output file known as bytecode, which it stores in a .class file. If a source file has more...
  
   – used in Java
  Java (programming language)
  Java is a programming language originally developed by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems and released in 1995 as a core component of Sun Microsystems' Java platform. The language derives much of its syntax from C and C++ but has a simpler object model and fewer low-level facilities...
  
  
• COFF
  COFF
  The Common Object File Format is a specification of a format for executable, object code, and shared library computer files used on Unix systems...
  
   (no suffix for executable image, .o for object files) – UNIX Common Object File Format, now often superseded by ELF
• COM file
  COM file
  In many computer operating systems, a COM file is a type of executable file; the name is derived from the file name extension .COM. Originally, the term stood for "Command file", a text file containing commands to be issued to the operating system , on many of the Digital Equipment Corporation mini...
  
  s – commands used in DOS
  DOS
  DOS, short for "Disk Operating System", is an acronym for several closely related operating systems that dominated the IBM PC compatible market between 1981 and 1995, or until about 2000 if one includes the partially DOS-based Microsoft Windows versions 95, 98, and Millennium Edition.Related...
  
  
• DCU – Delphi
  Borland Delphi
  Embarcadero Delphi is an integrated development environment for console, desktop graphical, web, and mobile applications.Delphi's compilers use its own Object Pascal dialect of Pascal and generate native code for 32- and 64-bit Windows operating systems, as well as 32-bit Mac OS X and iOS...
  
   compiled unit
• DOL – the file format used by the Gamecube and Wii
  Wii
  The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
  
  , short for Dolphin the codename of the Gamecube.
• .EAR
  EAR (file format)
  EAR is a file format used by Java EE for packaging one or more modules into a single archive so that the deployment of the various modules onto an application server happens simultaneously and coherently...
  
   – archives of Java enterprise applications
• ELF
  Executable and Linkable Format
  In computing, the Executable and Linkable Format is a common standard file format for executables, object code, shared libraries, and core dumps. First published in the System V Application Binary Interface specification, and later in the Tool Interface Standard, it was quickly accepted among...
  
   – (no suffix for executable image, .o for object files, .so for shared object files) used in many modern Unix
  Unix
  Unix is a multitasking, multi-user computer operating system originally developed in 1969 by a group of AT&T employees at Bell Labs, including Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, Brian Kernighan, Douglas McIlroy, and Joe Ossanna...
  
   and Unix-like
  Unix-like
  A Unix-like operating system is one that behaves in a manner similar to a Unix system, while not necessarily conforming to or being certified to any version of the Single UNIX Specification....
  
   systems, including Solaris, other System V Release 4
  UNIX System V
  Unix System V, commonly abbreviated SysV , is one of the first commercial versions of the Unix operating system. It was originally developed by American Telephone & Telegraph and first released in 1983. Four major versions of System V were released, termed Releases 1, 2, 3 and 4...
  
   derivatives, Linux
  Linux
  Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
  
  , and BSD)
• expander (see bundle)
• DOS executable
  DOS executable
  The DOS MZ executable format is the executable file format used for .EXE files in DOS.The file can be identified by the ASCII string "MZ" or the hexadecimal 4D 5A at the beginning of the file . "MZ" are the initials of Mark Zbikowski, one of the developers of MS-DOS...
  
   (.exe
  EXE
  EXE is the common filename extension denoting an executable file in the DOS, OpenVMS, Microsoft Windows, Symbian, and OS/2 operating systems....
  
   – used in DOS
  DOS
  DOS, short for "Disk Operating System", is an acronym for several closely related operating systems that dominated the IBM PC compatible market between 1981 and 1995, or until about 2000 if one includes the partially DOS-based Microsoft Windows versions 95, 98, and Millennium Edition.Related...
  
  )
• .JAR
  JAR (file format)
  In software, JAR is an archive file format typically used to aggregate many Java class files and associated metadata and resources into one file to distribute application software or libraries on the Java platform.JAR files are built on the ZIP file format and have the .jar file extension...
  
   – archives of Java class files
• .XPI
  XPInstall
  XPInstall is a technology used by the Mozilla Application Suite, SeaMonkey, Mozilla Firefox, Mozilla Thunderbird and other XUL-based applications for installing Mozilla extensions that add functionality to the main application....
  
   – PKZIP
  PKZIP
  PKZIP is an archiving tool originally written by Phil Katz and marketed by his company PKWARE, Inc. The common "PK" prefix used in both PKZIP and PKWARE stands for "Phil Katz".-History:...
  
   archive that can be run by Mozilla
  Mozilla
  Mozilla is a term used in a number of ways in relation to the Mozilla.org project and the Mozilla Foundation, their defunct commercial predecessor Netscape Communications Corporation, and their related application software....
  
   web browser
  Web browser
  A web browser is a software application for retrieving, presenting, and traversing information resources on the World Wide Web. An information resource is identified by a Uniform Resource Identifier and may be a web page, image, video, or other piece of content...
  
  s to install software)
• Mach-O
  Mach-O
  Mach-O, short for Mach object file format, is a file format for executables, object code, shared libraries, dynamically-loaded code, and core dumps. A replacement for the a.out format, Mach-O offered more extensibility and faster access to information in the symbol table.Mach-O was once used by...
  
   – (no suffix for executable image, .o for object files, .dylib and .bundle for shared object files) Mach based systems, notably native format of Mac OS X
  Mac OS X
  Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
  
  )
• NetWare Loadable Module (.NLM) – the native 32-bit binaries compiled for Novell's NetWare Operating System (versions 3 and newer)
• New Executable
  New Executable
  The New Executable is a 16-bit .exe file format, a successor to the DOS MZ executable format. It was used in a special version of MS-DOS, Windows 1.0, Windows 2.x, and Windows 3.x...
  
   (.EXE
  EXE
  EXE is the common filename extension denoting an executable file in the DOS, OpenVMS, Microsoft Windows, Symbian, and OS/2 operating systems....
  
   – used in DOS 4.0 and later, 16-bit
  16-bit
  -16-bit architecture:The HP BPC, introduced in 1975, was the world's first 16-bit microprocessor. Prominent 16-bit processors include the PDP-11, Intel 8086, Intel 80286 and the WDC 65C816. The Intel 8088 was program-compatible with the Intel 8086, and was 16-bit in that its registers were 16...
  
   Microsoft Windows
  Microsoft Windows
  Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
  
  , and OS/2
  OS/2
  OS/2 is a computer operating system, initially created by Microsoft and IBM, then later developed by IBM exclusively. The name stands for "Operating System/2," because it was introduced as part of the same generation change release as IBM's "Personal System/2 " line of second-generation personal...
  
  )
• .o
  XCOFF
  XCOFF, for "eXtended COFF", is an improved and expanded version of the COFF object file format defined by IBM and used in AIX. Early versions of the PowerPC Macintosh also supported XCOFF, as did BeOS....
  
   – un-linked object files directly from the compiler.
• Portable Executable
  Portable Executable
  The Portable Executable format is a file format for executables, object code and DLLs, used in 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows operating systems. The term "portable" refers to the format's versatility in numerous environments of operating system software architecture...
  
   (.EXE
  EXE
  EXE is the common filename extension denoting an executable file in the DOS, OpenVMS, Microsoft Windows, Symbian, and OS/2 operating systems....
  
  , .DLL
  Dynamic-link library
  Dynamic-link library , or DLL, is Microsoft's implementation of the shared library concept in the Microsoft Windows and OS/2 operating systems...
  
   – used in Microsoft Windows
  Microsoft Windows
  Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
  
   and some other systems)
• Preferred Executable Format
  Preferred Executable Format
  The Preferred Executable Format is a file format that specifies the format of executable files and other object code. PEF executables are also called Code Fragment Manager files ....
  
   – (Mac OS
  Mac OS
  Mac OS is a series of graphical user interface-based operating systems developed by Apple Inc. for their Macintosh line of computer systems. The Macintosh user experience is credited with popularizing the graphical user interface...
  
   versions 9 and earlier; compatible with Mac OS X
  Mac OS X
  Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
  
   via the Classic
  Classic (Mac OS X)
  Classic, or Classic Environment, was a hardware and software abstraction layer in Mac OS X that allowed applications compatible with Mac OS 9 to run on the Mac OS X operating system...
  
   emulator)
• .s1es – Executable
  Executable
  In computing, an executable file causes a computer "to perform indicated tasks according to encoded instructions," as opposed to a data file that must be parsed by a program to be meaningful. These instructions are traditionally machine code instructions for a physical CPU...
  
   used for S1ES learning system.
• .so – shared library, typically ELF
• Value Added Process (.VAP) – the native 16-bit binaries compiled for Novell's NetWare Operating System (version 2, NetWare 286, Advanced NetWare, etc.)
• .WAR – archives of Java Web application
  Web application
  A web application is an application that is accessed over a network such as the Internet or an intranet. The term may also mean a computer software application that is coded in a browser-supported language and reliant on a common web browser to render the application executable.Web applications are...
  
  s
• XBE – Xbox executable
• XCOFF
  XCOFF
  XCOFF, for "eXtended COFF", is an improved and expanded version of the COFF object file format defined by IBM and used in AIX. Early versions of the PowerPC Macintosh also supported XCOFF, as did BeOS....
  
   – (no suffix for executable image, .o for object files, .a for shared object files) extended COFF, used in AIX
• XEX
  Xbox 360
  The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
  
   – Xbox 360 executable

Object extensions

• .VBX
  Visual Basic Extension
  In computer programming, a Visual Basic Extension or custom control, was the component model used in Microsoft Visual Basic versions 1.0 to 3.0. It is still supported in the 16-bit version of version 4.0, but was made obsolete by OCXs...
  
   – Visual Basic extensions
• .OCX
  Component Object Model
  Component Object Model is a binary-interface standard for software componentry introduced by Microsoft in 1993. It is used to enable interprocess communication and dynamic object creation in a large range of programming languages...
  
   – Object Control extensions
• .TLB
  Component Object Model
  Component Object Model is a binary-interface standard for software componentry introduced by Microsoft in 1993. It is used to enable interprocess communication and dynamic object creation in a large range of programming languages...
  
   – Windows Type Library

Mathematic

• MathML
  MathML
  Mathematical Markup Language is an application of XML for describing mathematical notations and capturing both its structure and content. It aims at integrating mathematical formulae into World Wide Web pages and other documents...
  
   – Mathematical Markup Language (.mml)
• Harwell-Boeing file format
  Harwell-Boeing file format
  The Harwell-Boeing file format is a file format designed to store information used to describe sparse matrices.- External links :* a detailed description of the HB format...
  
   – a format designed to store sparse matrices
  Sparse matrix
  In the subfield of numerical analysis, a sparse matrix is a matrix populated primarily with zeros . The term itself was coined by Harry M. Markowitz....
  
  
• ODF – OpenDocument
  OpenDocument
  The Open Document Format for Office Applications is an XML-based file format for representing electronic documents such as spreadsheets, charts, presentations and word processing documents....
  
   Math Formula
• SXM – OpenOffice.org XML
  OpenOffice.org XML
  OpenOffice.org XML is an open XML-based file format developed as an open community effort by Sun Microsystems and other OpenOffice.org project contributors in 2000-2002. The open-source software application suite OpenOffice.org 1.x and StarOffice 6 used the format as their native and default file...
  
   (obsolete) Math Formula

Page description language

• DVI
• EGT – Universal Document can be used to store CSS type styles (*.egt)
• PLD
• PCL
• PDF
  Portable Document Format
  Portable Document Format is an open standard for document exchange. This file format, created by Adobe Systems in 1993, is used for representing documents in a manner independent of application software, hardware, and operating systems....
  
   – Portable Document Format
• PostScript
  PostScript
  PostScript is a dynamically typed concatenative programming language created by John Warnock and Charles Geschke in 1982. It is best known for its use as a page description language in the electronic and desktop publishing areas. Adobe PostScript 3 is also the worldwide printing and imaging...
  
   (.ps, .ps .gz)
• SNP
  SNP File Format
  The SNP file format is used by Microsoft Access to store Report Snapshots in a single file which can be viewed and printed by the Microsoft , available as a no-additional-charge download from Microsoft...
  
   – Microsoft Access
  Microsoft Access
  Microsoft Office Access, previously known as Microsoft Access, is a relational database management system from Microsoft that combines the relational Microsoft Jet Database Engine with a graphical user interface and software-development tools. It is a member of the Microsoft Office suite of...
  
   Report Snapshot
• XPS
  XML Paper Specification
  Open XML Paper Specification , is an open specification for a page description language and a fixed-document format originally developed by Microsoft as XML Paper Specification that was later standardized by Ecma International as international standard ECMA-388...
  
  
• XSL-FO (Formatting Objects)
  XSL Formatting Objects
  XSL Formatting Objects, or XSL-FO, is a markup language for XML document formatting which is most often used to generate PDFs. XSL-FO is part of XSL , a set of W3C technologies designed for the transformation and formatting of XML data. The other parts of XSL are XSLT and XPath...
  
  
• Configurations, Metadata
  • CSS
    Cascading Style Sheets
    Cascading Style Sheets is a style sheet language used to describe the presentation semantics of a document written in a markup language...
    
     – Cascading Style Sheets
  • XSLT, XSL – XML Style Sheet
    XSL Transformations
    XSLT is a declarative, XML-based language used for the transformation of XML documents. The original document is not changed; rather, a new document is created based on the content of an existing one. The new document may be serialized by the processor in standard XML syntax or in another format,...
    
     (.xslt, .xsl)
  • TPL – Web template
    Web template
    A web template is a tool used to separate content from presentation in web design, and for mass-production of web documents. It is a basic component of a web template system.Web templates can be used to set up any type of website...
    
     (.tpl)

Personal information manager

• MSG – Microsoft Outlook
  Microsoft Outlook
  Microsoft Outlook is a personal information manager from Microsoft, available both as a separate application as well as a part of the Microsoft Office suite...
  
   task manager
• ORG – Lotus Organizer PIM package
• PST – Microsoft Outlook email communication
• SC2 – Microsoft Schedule+
  Microsoft Schedule Plus
  Microsoft Schedule Plus was a time management software product developed by Microsoft, but was discontinued as part of Microsoft Office when most of its functionality was incorporated into Outlook 97...
  
   calendar

Presentation

• KEY, KEYNOTE – Apple Keynote Presentation
• NB – Mathematica
  Mathematica
  Mathematica is a computational software program used in scientific, engineering, and mathematical fields and other areas of technical computing...
  
   Slideshow
• NBP – Mathematica Player slideshow
• ODP – OpenDocument
  OpenDocument
  The Open Document Format for Office Applications is an XML-based file format for representing electronic documents such as spreadsheets, charts, presentations and word processing documents....
  
   Presentation
• OTP – OpenDocument Presentation template
• POT – Microsoft PowerPoint
  Microsoft PowerPoint
  Microsoft PowerPoint, usually just called PowerPoint, is a non-free commercial presentation program developed by Microsoft. It is part of the Microsoft Office suite, and runs on Microsoft Windows and Apple's Mac OS X operating system...
  
   template
• PPS – Microsoft PowerPoint Show
• PPT – Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation
• PPTX – Office Open XML Presentation
• PRZ – Lotus Freelance Graphics
  Lotus Freelance Graphics
  Lotus Freelance Graphics is an information graphics and presentation program developed by Lotus Software . Lotus Freelance Graphics is a part of the Lotus SmartSuite office suite for Microsoft Windows...
  
  
• SDD – StarOffice
  StarOffice
  StarOffice, known briefly as Oracle Open Office before its discontinuation in 2010, is a proprietary office suite. It was originally developed by StarDivision which was acquired by Sun Microsystems in 1999...
  
  's StarImpress
• SHF – ThinkFree Show
• SHOW – Haansoft(Hancom) Presentation software document
• SHW – Corel Presentations
  Corel Presentations
  Corel Presentations is a presentation program akin to Microsoft PowerPoint and OpenOffice.org Impress. The current release, version X5 , is available only as part of the Corel WordPerfect office productivity suite.-History:Presentations shares much of its code with WordPerfect...
  
   slide show creation
• SLP – Logix-4D Manager Show Control Project
• SSPSS – SongShow Plus Slide Show
• STI – OpenOffice.org XML
  OpenOffice.org XML
  OpenOffice.org XML is an open XML-based file format developed as an open community effort by Sun Microsystems and other OpenOffice.org project contributors in 2000-2002. The open-source software application suite OpenOffice.org 1.x and StarOffice 6 used the format as their native and default file...
  
   (obsolete) Presentation template
• SXI – OpenOffice.org XML
  OpenOffice.org XML
  OpenOffice.org XML is an open XML-based file format developed as an open community effort by Sun Microsystems and other OpenOffice.org project contributors in 2000-2002. The open-source software application suite OpenOffice.org 1.x and StarOffice 6 used the format as their native and default file...
  
   (obsolete) Presentation
• WATCH – Dataton Watchout Presentation

Reference management software

Formats of files used for bibliographic information (citation

Citation

Broadly, a citation is a reference to a published or unpublished source . More precisely, a citation is an abbreviated alphanumeric expression Broadly, a citation is a reference to a published or unpublished source (not always the original source). More precisely, a citation is an abbreviated...

) management.

• bib – BibTeX
  BibTeX
  BibTeX is reference management software for formatting lists of references. The BibTeX tool is typically used together with the LaTeX document preparation system...
  
  
• enl – EndNote
  EndNote
  EndNote is a commercial reference management software package, used to manage bibliographies and references when writing essays and articles. It is produced by Thomson Reuters.- Features :...
  
  
• ris – Research Information Systems RIS (file format)
  RIS (file format)
  RIS is a standardized tag format developed by Research Information Systems, Incorporated to enable citation programs to exchange data.It is supported by a number of reference managers...
  
  

Scientific data (data exchange)

• FITS
  FITS
  Flexible Image Transport System is a digital file format used to store, transmit, and manipulate scientific and other images. FITS is the most commonly used digital file format in astronomy...
  
   (Flexible Image Transport System) – standard data format for astronomy
• Silo
  Silo (library)
  Silo is a computer data format and library developed at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for storing rectilinear, curvilinear, unstructured, or point meshes in 2D and 3D. It supports data upon those meshes, including scalar, vector, and tensor variables; volume fraction-based materials; and...
  
   – a storage format for visualization developed at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
  Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
  The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory , just outside Livermore, California, is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center founded by the University of California in 1952...
  
  
• SPC
  SPC file format
  The SPC file format is a file format for storing spectroscopic data.The SPC file format is a file format in which all kinds of spectroscopic data, including amongst others infrared spectra, Raman spectra and UV/VIS spectra can be stored...
  
   – spectroscopic data
• EAS3
  EAS3
  EAS3 is a software toolkit for reading and writing structured binary data with geometry information and for postprocessing of these data. It is meant to exchange floating-point data according to IEEE standard between different computers, to modify them or to convert them into other file formats....
  
   – binary file format for structured data
• OST (Open Spatio-Temporal) – extensible, mainly images with related data, or just pure data; meant as an open alternative for microscope images
• CCP4
  CCP4 (file format)
  The CCP4 file format is file generated by the Collaborative Computational Project Number 4 in 1979. The file format for electron density has become industry standard in X-ray crystallography and Cryo-electron microscopy where the result of the technique is a three-dimensional grid of voxels each...
  
   – X-ray crystallography voxels (electron density)
• MRC
  MRC (file format)
  The MRC file format is a file format for electron density has become industry standard in Cryo-electron microscopy where the result of the technique is a three-dimensional grid of voxels each with a value corresponding to density of electrons The MRC format is supported by almost every molecular...
  
   – voxels in cryo-electron microscopy

Multi-domain

• NetCDF
  NetCDF
  NetCDF is a set of software libraries and self-describing, machine-independent data formats that support the creation, access, and sharing of array-oriented scientific data. The project homepage is hosted by the Unidata program at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research...
  
   – Network common data format
• HDR, [HDF], h4 or h5 – Hierarchical Data Format
  Hierarchical Data Format
  Hierarchical Data Format is the name of a set of file formats and libraries designed to store and organize large amounts of numerical data...
  
  
• SDXF
  SDXF
  SDXF is a data serialization format defined by RFC 3072.It allows arbitrary structured data of different types to be assembled together for exchanging between computers of different architectures....
  
   – (Structured Data Exchange Format)
• CDF – Common Data Format
  Common Data Format
  Common Data Format is a library and toolkit that has been developed by NASA. The software is an interface for the storage and manipulation of multi-dimensional data sets.-See also:* CGNS * EAS3...
  
  
• CGNS
  CGNS
  CGNS stands for CFD General Notation System. It is a general, portable, and extensible standard for the storage and retrieval of CFD analysis data. It consists of a collection of conventions, and free and open software implementing those conventions...
  
   – CFD General Notation System

Meteorology

• GRIB
  GRIB
  GRIB is a mathematically concise data format commonly used in meteorology to store historical and forecast weather data...
  
   – Grid In Binary, WMO format for weather model data
• BUFR
  BUFR
  The Binary Universal Form for the Representation of meteorological data is a binary data format maintained by the World Meteorological Organization . The latest version is BUFR Edition 4...
  
   – WMO format for weather observation data
• PP
  PP-format
  The PP-format is a Met Office proprietary file format for meteorological data.Simulations of the weather are performed by the Met Office's Unified Model, which can be used for Numerical Weather Prediction or Climatology, and data is collected...
  
   – UK Met Office format for weather model data
• NASA-Ames – Simple text format for observation data. First used in aircraft studies of the atmosphere.

Chemistry

• CML – Chemical Markup Language
  Chemical Markup Language
  CML is an approach to managing molecular information using tools such as XML and Java. It was the first domain specific implementation based strictly on XML, first based on a DTD and later on XML Schema, the most robust and widely used system for precise information management in many areas...
  
   (CML) (.cml)
• Chemical table file
  Chemical table file
  - File formats :Chemical table files come in various formats. In addition to the formats discussed below, other formats include RGfiles, Rxnfiles, RDfiles, XDfiles and Clipboard.- Molfile :...
  
   (CTab) (.mol, .sd, .sdf)
• Joint Committee on Atomic and Molecular Physical Data (JCAMP) (.dx, .jdx)
• Simplified molecular input line entry specification
  Simplified molecular input line entry specification
  The simplified molecular-input line-entry specification or SMILES is a specification in form of a line notation for describing the structure of chemical molecules using short ASCII strings...
  
   (SMILES) (.smi)

Biology

• Molecular biology and bioinformatics:
  • AB1 – In DNA sequencing
    DNA sequencing
    DNA sequencing includes several methods and technologies that are used for determining the order of the nucleotide bases—adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine—in a molecule of DNA....
    
    , chromatogram files used by instruments from Applied Biosystems
    Applied Biosystems
    Applied Biosystems, Inc. started as GeneCo , was the name of a pioneer biotechnology company founded in 1981 in Foster City, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area...
    
    
  • ACE – A sequence assembly
    Sequence assembly
    In bioinformatics, sequence assembly refers to aligning and merging fragments of a much longer DNA sequence in order to reconstruct the original sequence. This is needed as DNA sequencing technology cannot read whole genomes in one go, but rather reads small pieces of between 20 and 1000 bases,...
    
     format
  • BAM – Binary compressed SAM format
  • CAF – Common Assembly Format for sequence assembly
    Sequence assembly
    In bioinformatics, sequence assembly refers to aligning and merging fragments of a much longer DNA sequence in order to reconstruct the original sequence. This is needed as DNA sequencing technology cannot read whole genomes in one go, but rather reads small pieces of between 20 and 1000 bases,...
    
    
  • EMBL – The flatfile format used by the EMBL
    European Molecular Biology Laboratory
    The European Molecular Biology Laboratory is a molecular biology research institution supported by 20 European countries and Australia as associate member state. EMBL was created in 1974 and is an intergovernmental organisation funded by public research money from its member states...
    
     to represent database records for nucleotide and peptide sequence
    Peptide sequence
    Peptide sequence or amino acid sequence is the order in which amino acid residues, connected by peptide bonds, lie in the chain in peptides and proteins. The sequence is generally reported from the N-terminal end containing free amino group to the C-terminal end containing free carboxyl group...
    
    s from EMBL databases
  • FASTA – The FASTA file format
    FASTA format
    In bioinformatics, FASTA format is a text-based format for representing either nucleotide sequences or peptide sequences, in which nucleotides or amino acids are represented using single-letter codes. The format also allows for sequence names and comments to precede the sequences...
    
    , for sequence data. Sometimes also given as FNA or FAA (Fasta Nucleic Acid or Fasta Amino Acid).
  • FASTQ – The FASTQ file format
    FASTQ format
    FASTQ format is a text-based format for storing both a biological sequence and its corresponding quality scores. Both the sequence letter and quality score are encoded with a single ASCII character for brevity...
    
    , for sequence data with quality. Sometimes also given as QUAL.
  • GenBank – The flatfile format used by the NCBI
    National Center for Biotechnology Information
    The National Center for Biotechnology Information is part of the United States National Library of Medicine , a branch of the National Institutes of Health. The NCBI is located in Bethesda, Maryland and was founded in 1988 through legislation sponsored by Senator Claude Pepper...
    
     to represent database records for nucleotide and peptide sequence
    Peptide sequence
    Peptide sequence or amino acid sequence is the order in which amino acid residues, connected by peptide bonds, lie in the chain in peptides and proteins. The sequence is generally reported from the N-terminal end containing free amino group to the C-terminal end containing free carboxyl group...
    
    s from the GenBank
    GenBank
    The GenBank sequence database is an open access, annotated collection of all publicly available nucleotide sequences and their protein translations. This database is produced and maintained by the National Center for Biotechnology Information as part of the International Nucleotide Sequence...
    
     and RefSeq
    RefSeq
    The Reference Sequence database is an open access, annotated and curated collection of publicly available nucleotide sequences and their protein products. This database is built by National Center for Biotechnology Information , and, unlike GenBank, provides only single record for each natural...
    
     databases
  • GFF – The General feature format
    General feature format
    The general feature format is a file format used for describing genes and other features of DNA, RNA and protein sequences...
    
     is used for describing gene
    Gene
    A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...
    
    s and other features of DNA
    DNA
    Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
    
    , RNA
    RNA
    Ribonucleic acid , or RNA, is one of the three major macromolecules that are essential for all known forms of life....
    
     and protein
    Protein
    Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
    
     sequences
  • GTF – The Gene transfer format
    Gene transfer format
    The Gene transfer format is a file format used to hold information about gene structure. It is a tab-delimited text format based on the general feature format , but contains some additional conventions specific to gene information. A significant feature of the GTF is that it is validatable:...
    
     is used to hold information about gene
    Gene
    A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...
    
     structure.
  • PDB
    Protein Data Bank (file format)
    The Protein Data Bank file format is a textual file format describing the three dimensional structures of molecules held in the Protein Data Bank. The pdb format accordingly provides for description and annotation of protein and nucleic acid structures including atomic coordinates, observed...
    
     – structures of biomolecules deposited in Protein Data Bank
    Protein Data Bank
    The Protein Data Bank is a repository for the 3-D structural data of large biological molecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids....
    
    . Also used for exchanging protein/nucleic acid structures.
  • PHD – Phred output, from the basecalling software Phred
    Phred base calling
    Phred base-calling is a computer program for identifying a base sequence from a fluorescence "trace" data generated by an automated DNA sequencer that uses electrophoresis and 4-fluorescent dye method. When originally developed, Phred produced significantly fewer errors in the data sets examined...
    
    
  • SAM – Sequence Alignment/Map format, in which the results of the 1000 Genomes Project will be released.
  • SCF – Staden chromatogram files used to store data from DNA sequencing
    DNA sequencing
    DNA sequencing includes several methods and technologies that are used for determining the order of the nucleotide bases—adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine—in a molecule of DNA....
    
    
  • SBML – The Systems Biology Markup Language
    SBML
    The Systems Biology Markup Language is a representation format, based on XML, for communicating and storing computational models of biological processes. It is a free and open standard with widespread software support and a community of users and developers...
    
     is use to store biochemical network computational models
  • Stockholm – The Stockholm format
    Stockholm format
    Stockholm format is a Multiple sequence alignment format used by Pfam and Rfam to disseminate protein and RNA sequence alignments. The alignment editors...
    
     for representing multiple sequence alignment
    Multiple sequence alignment
    A multiple sequence alignment is a sequence alignment of three or more biological sequences, generally protein, DNA, or RNA. In many cases, the input set of query sequences are assumed to have an evolutionary relationship by which they share a lineage and are descended from a common ancestor...
    
    s
  • Swiss-Prot – The flatfile format used to represent database records for protein
    Peptide sequence
    Peptide sequence or amino acid sequence is the order in which amino acid residues, connected by peptide bonds, lie in the chain in peptides and proteins. The sequence is generally reported from the N-terminal end containing free amino group to the C-terminal end containing free carboxyl group...
    
     sequences from the Swiss-Prot database
  • VCF – Variant Call Format
    Variant Call Format
    The Variant Call Format is a specification for storing gene sequence variations. The format has been developed with the advent of large-scale genotyping and gene sequencing projects, such as the 1000 Genomes Project. Existing formats for genetic data, such as GFF, stored all of the genetic data,...
    
    , a standard created by the 1000 Genomes Project that lists and annotates the entire collection of human variants (with the exception of approximately 1.6 million variants).

Biomedical imaging

• Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine
  Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine
  DICOM is a standard for handling, storing, printing, and transmitting information in medical imaging. It includes a file format definition and a network communications protocol. The communication protocol is an application protocol that uses TCP/IP to communicate between systems...
  
   (DICOM) (.dcm)
• Neuroimaging Informatics Technology Initiative (NIfTI)
  • .nii – single-file (combined data and meta-data) style
    • .nii.gz – gzip
      Gzip
      Gzip is any of several software applications used for file compression and decompression. The term usually refers to the GNU Project's implementation, "gzip" standing for GNU zip. It is based on the DEFLATE algorithm, which is a combination of Lempel-Ziv and Huffman coding...
      
      -compressed, used transparently by some software, notably the FMRIB Software Library
      FMRIB Software Library
      The FMRIB Software Library is a software library containing image analysis and statistical tools for functional, structural and diffusion MRI brain imaging data....
      
       (FSL)
    • .gii – single-file (combined data and meta-data) style; NIfTI offspring for brain surface data
  • .img,.hdr – dual-file (separate data and meta-data, respectively) style
• AFNI
  AFNI
  Analysis of Functional NeuroImages is an open-source environment for processing and displaying functional MRI data—a technique for mapping human brain activity....
  
   data, meta-data (.BRIK,.HEAD)
• Massachusetts General Hospital
  Massachusetts General Hospital
  Massachusetts General Hospital is a teaching hospital and biomedical research facility in the West End neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts...
  
   imaging format, used by the FreeSurfer
  FreeSurfer
  FreeSurfer is an MRI brain imaging software package developed by the Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging at Massachusetts General Hospital. It is an important tool in functional brain mapping and facilitates the visualization of the functional regions of the highly-folded cerebral...
  
   brain analysis package
  • .MGH – uncompressed
  • .MGZ – zip
    ZIP (file format)
    Zip is a file format used for data compression and archiving. A zip file contains one or more files that have been compressed, to reduce file size, or stored as is...
    
    -compressed
• Analyze data, meta-data (.img,.hdr)
• Signed Differential Mapping
  Signed differential mapping
  Signed differential mapping or SDM is a statistical technique for meta-analyzing studies on differences in brain activity or structure which used neuroimaging techniques such as fMRI, VBM, DTI or PET...
  
   (SDM) brain maps and/or distributions (.sdm)

Biomedical signals (time series)

• ACQ – AcqKnowledge File Format for Windows/PC from Biopac Systems Inc., Goleta, CA, USA.
• BCI2000 – The BCI2000 project, Albany, NY, USA.
• BDF – BioSemi data format from BioSemi B.V. Amsterdam, Netherlands.
• BKR – The EEG data format developed at the University of Technology Graz, Austria.
• CFWB – Chart Data File Format from ADInstruments Pty Ltd, Bella Vista NSW, Australia.
• DICOM – Waveform An extension of Dicom for storing waveform data
• ecgML – A markup language for electrocardiogram data acquisition and analysis.
• EDF/EDF+ – European Data Format.
• FEF – File Exchange Format for Vital signs, CEN TS 14271.
• GDF v1.x – The General Data Format for biomedical signals – Version 1.x.
• GDF v2.x – The General Data Format for biomedical signals – Version 2.x.
• HL7aECG – Health Level 7 v3 annotated ECG.
• MFER – Medical waveform Format Encoding Rules
• OpenXDF – Open Exchange Data Format from Neurotronics, Inc. Gainesville, FL, USA.
• SCP-ECG – Standard Communication Protocol for Computer assisted electrocardiography EN1064:2007,
• SIGIF – A digital SIGnal Interchange Format with application in neurophysiology.
• WFDB – Format of Physiobank

Script

• AHK – AutoHotkey
  AutoHotkey
  AutoHotkey is a free, open source macro-creation and automation software utility which allows users to automate repetitive tasks. Any application user interface can be modified by AutoHotkey...
  
   script file
• APPLESCRIPT – See SCPT.
• AS – Adobe Flash
  Adobe Flash
  Adobe Flash is a multimedia platform used to add animation, video, and interactivity to web pages. Flash is frequently used for advertisements, games and flash animations for broadcast...
  
   ActionScript
  ActionScript
  ActionScript is an object-oriented language originally developed by Macromedia Inc. . It is a dialect of ECMAScript , and is used primarily for the development of websites and software targeting the Adobe Flash Player platform, used on Web pages in the form of...
  
   File
• AU3 – AutoIt version 3
  AutoIt
  AutoIt is a freeware automation language for Microsoft Windows. In its earliest release, the software was primarily intended to create automation scripts for Microsoft Windows programs but has since grown to include enhancements in both programming language design and overall functionality.With...
  
  
• BAT – Batch file
  Batch file
  In DOS, OS/2, and Microsoft Windows, batch file is the name given to a type of script file, a text file containing a series of commands to be executed by the command interpreter....
  
  
• BAS – QBasic
  QBasic
  QBasic is an IDE and interpreter for a variant of the BASIC programming language which is based on QuickBASIC. Code entered into the IDE is compiled to an intermediate form, and this intermediate form is immediately interpreted on demand within the IDE. It can run under nearly all versions of DOS...
  
   & QuickBASIC
  QuickBASIC
  Microsoft QuickBASIC is an Integrated Development Environment and compiler for the BASIC programming language that was developed by Microsoft. QuickBASIC runs mainly on DOS, though there was a short-lived version for Mac OS...
  
  
• CMD – Batch file
  Batch file
  In DOS, OS/2, and Microsoft Windows, batch file is the name given to a type of script file, a text file containing a series of commands to be executed by the command interpreter....
  
  
• Coffee - CoffeeScript
  CoffeeScript
  CoffeeScript is a programming language that transcompiles to JavaScript. The language adds syntactic sugar inspired by Ruby, Python and Haskell to enhance JavaScript's brevity and readability, as well as adding more sophisticated features like array comprehension and pattern matching...
  
  
• EGG – Chicken
  Chicken Scheme compiler
  Chicken is a compiler and interpreter for the Scheme programming language that compiles Scheme code to standard C. It is mostly R5RS compliant and offers many extensions to the standard...
  
  
• EGT – EGT Asterisk Application Source File, EGT Universal Document
• ERB - Embedded Ruby
• HTA – HTML Application
• IBI – Icarus script
• ICI – ICI
  ICI programming language
  ICI is a general purpose interpreted, computer programming language originally developed by Tim Long in the late 1980s. It has dynamic typing and flexible data types, with the basic syntax, flow control constructs and operators of C. It can be considered broadly similar to Perl, with which it is...
  
  
• ITCL – Itcl
  Itcl
  incr Tcl is a set of object-oriented extensions for the Tcl programming language. It is widely used among the Tcl community, and is generally regarded as industrial strength...
  
  
• JS – JavaScript
  JavaScript
  JavaScript is a prototype-based scripting language that is dynamic, weakly typed and has first-class functions. It is a multi-paradigm language, supporting object-oriented, imperative, and functional programming styles....
  
   and JScript
  JScript
  JScript is a scripting language based on the ECMAScript standard that is used in Microsoft's Internet Explorer.JScript is implemented as a Windows Script engine. This means that it can be "plugged in" to any application that supports Windows Script, such as Internet Explorer, Active Server Pages,...
  
  
• JSFL – Adobe JavaScript language
• LUA – Lua
  Lua programming language
  Lua is a lightweight multi-paradigm programming language designed as a scripting language with extensible semantics as a primary goal. Lua has a relatively simple C API compared to other scripting languages.- History :...
  
  
• M – Mathematica
  Mathematica
  Mathematica is a computational software program used in scientific, engineering, and mathematical fields and other areas of technical computing...
  
   package file
• MRC – mIRC Script
  MIRC script
  The mIRC scripting language, often unofficially abbreviated to 'mSL', is the scripting language embedded in mIRC, a popular IRC client for Windows.-Primary uses:...
  
  
• NCF – NetWare Command File (scripting for Novell's NetWare OS)
• NUT – Squirrel
  Squirrel programming language
  Squirrel is a high level imperative, object-oriented programming language, designed to be a light-weight scripting language that fits in the size, memory bandwidth, and real-time requirements of applications like video games. MirthKit, a simple toolkit for making and distributing open source,...
  
  
• PHP – PHP
  PHP
  PHP is a general-purpose server-side scripting language originally designed for web development to produce dynamic web pages. For this purpose, PHP code is embedded into the HTML source document and interpreted by a web server with a PHP processor module, which generates the web page document...
  
  
• PHP? – PHP
  PHP
  PHP is a general-purpose server-side scripting language originally designed for web development to produce dynamic web pages. For this purpose, PHP code is embedded into the HTML source document and interpreted by a web server with a PHP processor module, which generates the web page document...
  
   (? = version number)
• PL – Perl
  Perl
  Perl is a high-level, general-purpose, interpreted, dynamic programming language. Perl was originally developed by Larry Wall in 1987 as a general-purpose Unix scripting language to make report processing easier. Since then, it has undergone many changes and revisions and become widely popular...
  
  
• PM – Perl module
  Perl module
  A Perl module is a discrete component of software for the Perl programming language. Technically, it is a particular set of conventions for using Perl's package mechanism that has become universally adopted....
  
  
• PS1 – Windows PowerShell
  Windows PowerShell
  Windows PowerShell is Microsoft's task automation framework, consisting of a command-line shell and associated scripting language built on top of, and integrated with the .NET Framework...
  
   shell script
• PS1XML – Windows PowerShell
  Windows PowerShell
  Windows PowerShell is Microsoft's task automation framework, consisting of a command-line shell and associated scripting language built on top of, and integrated with the .NET Framework...
  
   format and type definitions
• PSC1 – Windows PowerShell
  Windows PowerShell
  Windows PowerShell is Microsoft's task automation framework, consisting of a command-line shell and associated scripting language built on top of, and integrated with the .NET Framework...
  
   console file
• PSD1 – Windows PowerShell
  Windows PowerShell
  Windows PowerShell is Microsoft's task automation framework, consisting of a command-line shell and associated scripting language built on top of, and integrated with the .NET Framework...
  
   data file
• PSM1 – Windows PowerShell
  Windows PowerShell
  Windows PowerShell is Microsoft's task automation framework, consisting of a command-line shell and associated scripting language built on top of, and integrated with the .NET Framework...
  
   module file
• PY – Python
  Python (programming language)
  Python is a general-purpose, high-level programming language whose design philosophy emphasizes code readability. Python claims to "[combine] remarkable power with very clear syntax", and its standard library is large and comprehensive...
  
  
• PYC – Python
  Python (programming language)
  Python is a general-purpose, high-level programming language whose design philosophy emphasizes code readability. Python claims to "[combine] remarkable power with very clear syntax", and its standard library is large and comprehensive...
  
  
• PYO – Python
  Python (programming language)
  Python is a general-purpose, high-level programming language whose design philosophy emphasizes code readability. Python claims to "[combine] remarkable power with very clear syntax", and its standard library is large and comprehensive...
  
  
• R – R scripts
  R (programming language)
  R is a programming language and software environment for statistical computing and graphics. The R language is widely used among statisticians for developing statistical software, and R is widely used for statistical software development and data analysis....
  
  
• RB – Ruby
• RDP – RDP
  Remote Desktop Protocol
  Remote Desktop Protocol is a proprietary protocol developed by Microsoft, which provides a user with a graphical interface to another computer. The protocol is an extension of the ITU-T T.128 application sharing protocol. Clients exist for most versions of Microsoft Windows , Linux, Unix, Mac OS...
  
   connection
• SCPT – Applescript
  AppleScript
  AppleScript is a scripting language created by Apple Inc. and built into Macintosh operating systems since System 7. The term "AppleScript" may refer to the scripting system itself, or to particular scripts that are written in the AppleScript language....
  
  
• SCPTD – See SCPT.
• SDL – State Description Language
• SH – Shell script
  Shell script
  A shell script is a script written for the shell, or command line interpreter, of an operating system. It is often considered a simple domain-specific programming language...
  
  
• TCL – Tcl
  Tcl
  Tcl is a scripting language created by John Ousterhout. Originally "born out of frustration", according to the author, with programmers devising their own languages intended to be embedded into applications, Tcl gained acceptance on its own...
  
  
• VBS – Visual Basic Script
  VBScript
  VBScript is an Active Scripting language developed by Microsoft that is modeled on Visual Basic. It is designed as a “lightweight” language with a fast interpreter for use in a wide variety of Microsoft environments...
  
  
• XPL – XProc
  XProc
  XProc is a W3C Recommendation to define an XML transformation language to define XML Pipelines.Below is an example abbreviated XProc file: This is a pipeline that consists of two atomic steps, XInclude and Validate...
  
   script/pipeline
• ebuild – Gentoo linux
  Gentoo Linux
  Gentoo Linux is a computer operating system built on top of the Linux kernel and based on the Portage package management system. It is distributed as free and open source software. Unlike a conventional software distribution, the user compiles the source code locally according to their chosen...
  
  's portage package.

Signal data (non-audio)

• ACQ – AcqKnowledge File Format for Windows/PC from Biopac
• BKR – The EEG data format developed at the University of Technology Graz
• BDF – BioSemi data format – similar to EDF but 24bit
• CFWB – Chart Data File Format from ADInstruments
  ADInstruments
  ADInstruments is an international company that produces data acquisition and analysis systems for the life science industry. It is headquartered in Sydney, Australia and has more than 160 staff worldwide. Voted a finalist in JRA's Top 10 Best Place to work in 2009 and 2010...
  
  
• EDF – European data format
• FEF – File Exchange Format for Vital signs
• GDF
  General Data Format for Biomedical Signals
  The General Data Format for Biomedical Signals is a scientific and medical data file format. The aim of GDF is to combine and integrate the best features of all into a single file format. uses a binary header, and uses an event table...
  
   – General data formats for biomedical signals
• GMS – Gesture And Motion Signal format
• IROCK – intelliRock Sensor Data File Format
• MFER – Medical waveform Format Encoding Rules
• SCP-ECG
  SCP-ECG
  SCP-ECG, which stands for Standard communications protocol for computer assisted electrocardiography, is a standard for ECG traces, annotations, and metadata, that specifies the interchange format and a messaging procedure for ECG cart-to-host communication and for retrieval of SCP-ECG records from...
  
   – Standard Communication Protocol for Computer assisted electrocardiography
• SEG Y
  SEG Y
  The SEG Y file format is one of several standards developed by the Society of Exploration Geophysicists for storing geophysical data. It is an open standard, and is controlled by the SEG Technical Standards Committee, a non-profit organization....
  
   – Reflection seismology
  Reflection seismology
  Reflection seismology is a method of exploration geophysics that uses the principles of seismology to estimate the properties of the Earth's subsurface from reflected seismic waves. The method requires a controlled seismic source of energy, such as dynamite/Tovex, a specialized air gun or a...
  
   data format
• SIGIF – SIGnal Interchange Format

Lossless audio

• Uncompressed
  • AIFF
    AIFF
    Audio Interchange File Format is an audio file format standard used for storing sound data for personal computers and other electronic audio devices...
    
     – Audio Interchange File Format
  • AU
    Au file format
    The Au file format is a simple audio file format introduced by Sun Microsystems. The format was common on NeXT systems and on early Web pages. Originally it was headerless, being simply 8-bit µ-law-encoded data at an 8000 Hz sample rate. Hardware from other vendors often used sample rates as...
    
    
  • CDDA
    Red Book (audio CD standard)
    Red Book is the standard for audio CDs . It is named after one of the Rainbow Books, a series of books that contain the technical specifications for all CD and CD-ROM formats.The first edition of the Red Book was released in 1980 by Philips and Sony; it was adopted by the Digital Audio Disc...
    
    
  • IFF-8SVX
    Interchange File Format
    Interchange File Format , is a generic container file format originally introduced by the Electronic Arts company in 1985 in order to ease transfer of data between software produced by different companies....
    
    
  • IFF-16SV
    Interchange File Format
    Interchange File Format , is a generic container file format originally introduced by the Electronic Arts company in 1985 in order to ease transfer of data between software produced by different companies....
    
    
  • RAW – raw samples without any header or sync
  • WAV
    WAV
    Waveform Audio File Format , is a Microsoft and IBM audio file format standard for storing an audio bitstream on PCs...
    
     – Microsoft Wave
• Compressed
  • FLAC
    FLAC
    FLAC is a codec which allows digital audio to be losslessly compressed such that file size is reduced without any information being lost...
    
     – (free lossless codec of the Ogg
    Ogg
    Ogg is a free, open container format maintained by the Xiph.Org Foundation. The creators of the Ogg format state that it is unrestricted by software patents and is designed to provide for efficient streaming and manipulation of high quality digital multimedia.The Ogg container format can multiplex...
    
     project)
  • LA – Lossless Audio (.la)
  • PAC – LPAC
    Lossless Predictive Audio Compression
    Lossless predictive audio compression is an improved lossless audio compression algorithm developed by Tilman Liebchen, Marcus Purat and Peter Noll at , Technical University Berlin , to compress PCM audio in a lossless manner, unlike conventional audio compression algorithms which are...
    
     (.pac)
  • M4A – Apple Lossless
    Apple Lossless
    Apple Lossless Apple Lossless Apple Lossless (also known as ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec), or ALE (Apple Lossless Encoder) is an audio codec developed by Apple Inc. for lossless data compression of digital music. After initially being proprietary for many years, in late 2011 Apple open sourced...
    
     (M4A)
  • APE – Monkey's Audio
    Monkey's Audio
    Monkey's Audio is a file format for audio data compression. Being a lossless format, Monkey's Audio does not discard data during the process of encoding, unlike lossy compression methods such as AAC, MP3, Vorbis and Musepack....
    
     (APE)
  • OptimFROG
    OptimFROG
    OptimFROG is a proprietary lossless audio data compression codec developed by Florin Ghido. OptimFROG is optimized for very high compression ratios, even for the price of slower encoding and decoding.-OptimFROG DualStream:...
    
    
  • RKA – RKAU (.rka)
  • SHN – Shorten
    Shorten
    Shorten is a file format used for compressing audio data. It is a form of data compression of files and is used to losslessly compress CD-quality audio files . Shorten is no longer developed and more recent lossless audio codecs such as FLAC, Monkey's Audio , TTA, and WavPack have become more...
    
     (SHN)
  • TTA
    TTA (codec)
    True Audio is a free software, real-time lossless audio codec, based on adaptive prognostic filters.Also, .tta is the generic extension to filenames of audio files created by True Audio codec.- Codec overview :...
    
     – free lossless audio codec (True Audio)
  • WV – WavPack
    WavPack
    WavPack is a free, open source lossless audio compression format developed by David Bryant.-Features:WavPack compression can compress 8-, 16-, 24-, and 32-bit fixed-point, and 32-bit floating point audio files in the .WAV file format. It also supports surround sound streams and high frequency...
    
     (.wv)
  • WMA – Windows Media Audio
    Windows Media Audio
    Windows Media Audio is an audio data compression technology developed by Microsoft. The name can be used to refer to its audio file format or its audio codecs. It is a proprietary technology that forms part of the Windows Media framework. WMA consists of four distinct codecs...
    
     9 Lossless (WMA)

Lossy audio

• AMR – for GSM and UMTS
  Universal Mobile Telecommunications System
  Universal Mobile Telecommunications System is a third generation mobile cellular technology for networks based on the GSM standard. Developed by the 3GPP , UMTS is a component of the International Telecommunications Union IMT-2000 standard set and compares with the CDMA2000 standard set for...
  
   based mobile phones
• MP2 – MPEG
  Moving Picture Experts Group
  The Moving Picture Experts Group is a working group of experts that was formed by ISO and IEC to set standards for audio and video compression and transmission. It was established in 1988 by the initiative of Hiroshi Yasuda and Leonardo Chiariglione, who has been from the beginning the Chairman...
  
   Layer 2
• MP3
  MP3
  MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 Audio Layer III, more commonly referred to as MP3, is a patented digital audio encoding format using a form of lossy data compression...
  
   – MPEG
  Moving Picture Experts Group
  The Moving Picture Experts Group is a working group of experts that was formed by ISO and IEC to set standards for audio and video compression and transmission. It was established in 1988 by the initiative of Hiroshi Yasuda and Leonardo Chiariglione, who has been from the beginning the Chairman...
  
   Layer 3
• Speex
  Speex
  Speex is a patent-free audio compression format designed for speech and also a free software speech codec that may be used on VoIP applications and podcasts. It is based on the CELP speech coding algorithm. Speex claims to be free of any patent restrictions and is licensed under the revised BSD...
  
   – Ogg
  Ogg
  Ogg is a free, open container format maintained by the Xiph.Org Foundation. The creators of the Ogg format state that it is unrestricted by software patents and is designed to provide for efficient streaming and manipulation of high quality digital multimedia.The Ogg container format can multiplex...
  
   project, specialized for voice, low bitrates
• GSM – GSM Full Rate
  Full Rate
  Full Rate or FR or GSM-FR or GSM 06.10 was the first digital speech coding standard used in the GSM digital mobile phone system. The bit rate of the codec is 13 kbit/s, or 1.625 bits/audio sample...
  
  , originally developed for use in mobile phones
• WMA – Windows Media Audio
  Windows Media Audio
  Windows Media Audio is an audio data compression technology developed by Microsoft. The name can be used to refer to its audio file format or its audio codecs. It is a proprietary technology that forms part of the Windows Media framework. WMA consists of four distinct codecs...
  
   (.WMA)
• AAC
  Advanced Audio Coding
  Advanced Audio Coding is a standardized, lossy compression and encoding scheme for digital audio. Designed to be the successor of the MP3 format, AAC generally achieves better sound quality than MP3 at similar bit rates....
  
   (.m4a, .mp4, .m4p, .aac) – Advanced Audio Coding (usually in an MPEG-4
  MPEG-4
  MPEG-4 is a method of defining compression of audio and visual digital data. It was introduced in late 1998 and designated a standard for a group of audio and video coding formats and related technology agreed upon by the ISO/IEC Moving Picture Experts Group under the formal standard ISO/IEC...
  
   container)
• MPC
  Musepack
  Musepack or MPC is an open source lossy audio codec, specifically optimized for transparent compression of stereo audio at bitrates of 160–180 kbit/s...
  
   – Musepack
• VQF
  TwinVQ
  TwinVQ is an audio compression technique developed by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation Human Interface Laboratories in 1994...
  
   – Yamaha TwinVQ
• RealAudio
  RealAudio
  RealAudio is a proprietary audio format developed by RealNetworks and first released in April 1995. It uses a variety of audio codecs, ranging from low-bitrate formats that can be used over dialup modems, to high-fidelity formats for music. It can also be used as a streaming audio format, that is...
  
   (RA, RM)
• OTS – Audio File (similar to MP3, with more data stored in the file and slightly better compression; designed for use with OtsLabs' OtsAV)
• SWA – Macromedia Shockwave
  Macromedia Shockwave
  Adobe Shockwave is a multimedia platform used to add animation and interactivity to web pages. It allows Adobe Director applications to be published on the Internet and viewed in a web browser on any computer which has the Shockwave plug-in installed...
  
   Audio (Same compression as MP3
  MP3
  MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 Audio Layer III, more commonly referred to as MP3, is a patented digital audio encoding format using a form of lossy data compression...
  
   with additional header information specific to Macromedia Director
• VOX – Dialogic ADPCM
  Dialogic ADPCM
  Dialogic ADPCM or VOX is an audio file format, optimized for storing digitized voice data at a low sampling rate. VOX files are most commonly found in telephony applications, as well as an occasional arcade redemption game....
  
   Low Sample Rate Digitized Voice (VOX)
• VOC – Creative Labs Soundblaster Creative Voice 8-bit & 16-bit (VOC)
• DWD – DiamondWare Digitized (DWD)
• SMP – Turtlebeach SampleVision (SMP)

Other music

• AUP – Audacity project file
• BAND – GarageBand music
• CUST – DeliPlayer custom sound file format
• MID – standard MIDI
  Musical Instrument Digital Interface
  MIDI is an industry-standard protocol, first defined in 1982 by Gordon Hall, that enables electronic musical instruments , computers and other electronic equipment to communicate and synchronize with each other...
  
   file; most often just notes and controls but occasionally also sample dumps
• MUS – Finale Notation file, see also Finale (software)
• SIB – Sibelius Notation file, see also Sibelius (computer program)
• LY – LilyPond Notation file, see also GNU LilyPond
  GNU LilyPond
  GNU LilyPond is a computer program for music engraving. One of LilyPond's major goals is to produce scores that are engraved with traditional layout rules, reflecting the era when scores were engraved by hand....
  
  
• GYM
  GYM
  GYM is a sound format for the Sega Mega Drive/Sega Genesis.The name stands for Genesis YM2612, since the file contains the data stream sent to the Yamaha YM2612 sound chip in the console. The data is logged to a file through the use of emulators running a ROM image.The GYM format first appeared on...
  
   – Sega Genesis YM2612 log
• VGM – stands for "Video Game Music", log for several different chips
• PSF
• NSF – NES Sound Format
  NES Sound Format
  NSF is the DOS 8.3 filename Filename extension of the audio file format originally designated as NESM by the inventor Kevin Horton. This format was originally designed for playback in a custom hardware device named HardNES by the inventor...
  
  , bytecode program to play NES music
• MOD
  MOD (file format)
  MOD is a computer file format used primarily to represent music, and was the first module file format. MOD files use the “.MOD” file extension, except on the Amiga where the original trackers instead use a “mod.” prefix scheme, e.g. “mod.echoing”...
  
   – Soundtracker and Protracker sample and melody modules
• PTB – Power Tab Editor
  Power Tab Editor
  Power Tab Editor is a free tablature authoring tool created by Brad Larsen for Windows. It is used to create guitar, bass and ukulele tablature scores, among many others. The current version uses the *.ptb file format....
  
   tab
  Tablature
  Tablature is a form of musical notation indicating instrument fingering rather than musical pitches....
  
  
• S3M
  S3M (file format)
  The S3M format is an advanced module format, and is the successor to the STM format used by the original Scream Tracker. Both formats are based on the original MOD format used on the Commodore Amiga computer....
  
   – Scream Tracker
  Scream Tracker
  Scream Tracker is a tracker . It was created by Psi of Finland's Future Crew It was coded in C and assembly language. The first popular version of Scream Tracker, version 2.2, was published in 1990...
  
   3 module, with a few more effects and a dedicated volume column
• XM
  XM (file format)
  XM, standing for "extended module", is an audio file type introduced by Triton's Fast Tracker 2. XM introduced multisampling-capable instruments with volume and panning envelopes, and basic pattern compression...
  
   – Fast Tracker
  Fast Tracker
  FastTracker 2 is a tracker created by Fredrik "Mr. H" Huss and Magnus "Vogue" Högdahl, two members of the demogroup Triton which set about releasing their own tracker after breaking into the scene in 1992 and winning several demo competitions. The source code of FastTracker 2 is written in Pascal...
  
   module, adding instrument envelopes
• IT – Impulse Tracker
  Impulse Tracker
  Impulse Tracker is a multi-track digital sound tracker . It was one of the last tracker programs for the DOS platform. It was authored by Jeffrey "Pulse" Lim, and example music was provided by Jeffrey Lim and Chris Jarvis...
  
   module, adding compressed samples, note-release actions, and more effects including a resonant filter
• MT2 – MadTracker 2 module. It could be resumed as being XM and IT combined with more features like track effects and automation.
• MNG – BGM for the Creatures
  Creatures (artificial life program)
  Creatures is an artificial life computer program series, created in the mid-1990s by English computer scientist Steve Grand whilst working for the Cambridge computer games developer Millennium Interactive...
  
   game series, starting from Creatures 2
• PSF – Portable Sound Format
  Portable Sound Format
  The Portable Sound Format is a sound file format ripped directly from video games from a variety of game consoles. The format was originally used for Sony PlayStation video games, but has since been adapted to support other systems....
  
  , PlayStation variant (originally PlayStation Sound Format).
  • minipsf, psflib – Multipart PSF
  • 2sf, dsf, gsf, psf2, qsf, ssf, usf – PSF for other platforms
• RMJ – RealJukebox Media used for RealPlayer
  RealPlayer
  RealPlayer is a cross-platform media player by RealNetworks that plays a number of multimedia formats including MP3, MPEG-4, QuickTime, Windows Media, and multiple versions of proprietary RealAudio and RealVideo formats.-History:...
  
  .
• SPC
  SPC700 sound format
  An SPC700 sound file is a video game music file consisting of scores and music data from RAM used by the SPC700 sound chip on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System or Super Famicom...
  
   – Super Nintendo Entertainment System
  Super Nintendo Entertainment System
  The Super Nintendo Entertainment System is a 16-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America, Europe, Australasia , and South America between 1990 and 1993. In Japan and Southeast Asia, the system is called the , or SFC for short...
  
   sound file format.
• NIFF (Notation Interchange File Format)
• MusicXML
  MusicXML
  MusicXML is an open, XML-based music notation file format.It was developed by Recordare LLC, deriving several key concepts from existing academic formats . It is designed for the interchange of scores, particularly between different scorewriters.Version 1.0 was released in January 2004...
  
  
• TXM – Track ax media
• YM – Atari ST/Amstrad CPC YM2149 sound chip format
• JAM
  JAM notation
  JAM is both the software and file format for representing music as human-readable and human-writable text.Unlike the ABC notation, another text-based music format, that is best suitable for one-voice tunes,JAM is mainly focused on chords....
  
   – Jam music format
  JAM notation
  JAM is both the software and file format for representing music as human-readable and human-writable text.Unlike the ABC notation, another text-based music format, that is best suitable for one-voice tunes,JAM is mainly focused on chords....
  
  
• ASF – Advanced Systems Format
  Advanced Systems Format
  Advanced Systems Format is Microsoft's proprietary digital audio/digital video container format, especially meant for streaming media...
  
  
• MP1 – for use with UltraPlayer
  UltraPlayer
  UltraPlayer is a freely available media player written for Windows. It was first released in 2000 by UltraCo Incorporated....
  
  
• MSCZ – Musescore
  MuseScore
  MuseScore is free and open source music notation software for Microsoft Windows, Mac and Linux. MuseScore is a WYSIWYG editor, complete with support for score playback and import–export of MusicXML and standard MIDI files...
  
   compressed file
• MSCZ, – Musescore
  MuseScore
  MuseScore is free and open source music notation software for Microsoft Windows, Mac and Linux. MuseScore is a WYSIWYG editor, complete with support for score playback and import–export of MusicXML and standard MIDI files...
  
   uncompressed file

Playlists

• ASX – Advanced Stream Redirector
  Advanced Stream Redirector
  The Advanced Stream Redirector format is a type of XML metafile designed to store a list of Windows Media files to play during a multimedia presentation....
  
   (.asx)
• M3U
  M3U
  M3U is a computer file format that stores multimedia playlists. It is supported by many applications.An M3U file is a plain text file that specifies the locations of one or more media files. Each line carries one specification...
  
  
• PLS
  PLS (file format)
  PLS is a computer file format that stores multimedia playlists. It is a more expressive format than basic M3U, as it can store information on the song title and length...
  
  
• RAM – Real Audio Metafile For Real Audio files only.
• TXT/No extension – Mplayer playlist
• XSPF – the XML Shareable Playlist Format
• ZPL – Zune
  Zune
  Zune is a digital media brand owned by Microsoft which includes a line of portable media players, a digital media player software for Windows machines, a music subscription service known as a 'Zune Music Pass', music and video streaming for the Xbox 360 via the Zune Software, music, TV and movie...
  
   Playlist format

Audio editing, music production

• ALS – Ableton Live
  Ableton Live
  Ableton Live is a loop-based software music sequencer and DAW for Mac OS and Windows by Ableton. The latest major release of Live, Version 8, was released in April 2009. In contrast to many other software sequencers, Live is designed to be an instrument for live performances as well as a tool for...
  
   set
• AUP – Audacity
  Audacity
  Audacity is a free software, cross-platform digital audio editor and recording application. It is available for Windows, Mac OS X, Linux and BSD.Audacity was created by Dominic Mazzoni while he was a graduate student at Carnegie Mellon University...
  
   project file
• BAND – GarageBand
  GarageBand
  GarageBand is a software application for Mac OS X and iOS that allows users to create music or podcasts. It is developed by Apple Inc. as a part of the iLife software package on Mac OS X.-Audio recording:...
  
   project file
• CEL – Adobe Audition
  Adobe Audition
  Adobe Audition is a digital audio workstation from Adobe Systems featuring both a multitrack, non-destructive mix/edit environment and a destructive-approach waveform editing view.-Origins:...
  
   loop file (Cool Edit Loop)
• CPR – Steinberg
  Steinberg
  Steinberg GmbH is a German musical software and equipment company based in Hamburg. It mainly produces music recording, arranging and editing software as used in digital audio workstations and VSTi software synthesizers.- History :...
  
   Cubase project file
• MMR – MAGIX Music Maker
  MAGIX Music Maker
  Magix Music Maker is a commercial digital music editor, which was designed by the company MAGIX for the consumer sector. In its present form, its program attributes originate from Magix's professional digital audio workstation, Samplitude. The first version of Music Maker was published in 1994...
  
   project file
• NPR – Steinberg
  Steinberg
  Steinberg GmbH is a German musical software and equipment company based in Hamburg. It mainly produces music recording, arranging and editing software as used in digital audio workstations and VSTi software synthesizers.- History :...
  
   Nuendo
  Nuendo
  Nuendo is a music software product developed by Steinberg for music recording, arranging, editing and post-production as part of a Digital Audio Workstation. The package is aimed at audio and video post-production market segments, but it also contains optional modules that can be used for...
  
   project file
• CWP – Cakewalk Sonar
  Cakewalk Sonar
  Cakewalk SONAR is a digital audio workstation made by Cakewalk for recording, editing, mixing, mastering and outputting audio. The latest versions of the software are SONAR Home Studio 7, SONAR Home Studio 7 XL, SONAR X1 Producer Edition, SONAR X1 Studio Edition, SONAR X1 Essential Edition, and...
  
   project file
• DRM – Steinberg
  Steinberg
  Steinberg GmbH is a German musical software and equipment company based in Hamburg. It mainly produces music recording, arranging and editing software as used in digital audio workstations and VSTi software synthesizers.- History :...
  
   Cubase drum file
• OMF – cross-application format Open Media Framework application-exchange bundled format
• SES – Adobe Audition
  Adobe Audition
  Adobe Audition is a digital audio workstation from Adobe Systems featuring both a multitrack, non-destructive mix/edit environment and a destructive-approach waveform editing view.-Origins:...
  
   multitrack session file
• SFL – Sound Forge
  Sound Forge
  Sony Sound Forge is a digital audio editing suite by Sony Creative Software which is aimed at the professional and semi-professional markets....
  
   sound file
• SNG – MIDI sequence file (MidiSoft, Korg
  Korg
  is a Japanese multinational corporation that manufactures electronic musical instruments, audio processors and guitar pedals, recording equipment, and electronic tuners...
  
  , etc.) or n-Track Studio project file
• STF – StudioFactory project file. It contains all necessary patches, samples, tracks and settings to play the file.
• SYN – SynFactory
  SynFactory
  SynFactory is a free and open source software synthesizer for Windows. It is based on the same sound generating principles such as subtractive synthesis as used in vintage modular synthesizers. Patches can be built from separate components and connected together with virtual patch cables...
  
   project file. It contains all necessary patches, samples, tracks and settings to play the file.
• SND – Akai MPC sound file

Source code for computer programs

(see also: Script)

• ADA, ADB, 2.ADA – Ada
  Ada (programming language)
  Ada is a structured, statically typed, imperative, wide-spectrum, and object-oriented high-level computer programming language, extended from Pascal and other languages...
  
   (body) source
• ADS, 1.ADA – Ada (specification) source
• ASM, S – Assembly language
  Assembly language
  An assembly language is a low-level programming language for computers, microprocessors, microcontrollers, and other programmable devices. It implements a symbolic representation of the machine codes and other constants needed to program a given CPU architecture...
  
   source
• BAS – BASIC
  BASIC
  BASIC is a family of general-purpose, high-level programming languages whose design philosophy emphasizes ease of use - the name is an acronym from Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code....
  
  , Visual Basic
  Visual Basic
  Visual Basic is the third-generation event-driven programming language and integrated development environment from Microsoft for its COM programming model...
  
  , BASIC-PLUS
  BASIC-PLUS
  BASIC-PLUS was an extended dialect of the BASIC programming language developed by Digital Equipment Corporation for use on its RSTS/E time-sharing operating system for the PDP-11 series of 16-bit minicomputers in the early 1970s through the 1980s....
  
   source

• BB – Blitz3D
  Blitz BASIC
  Blitz BASIC refers to the programming language dialect that was interpreted by the first Blitz compilers, devised by New Zealand-based developer Mark Sibly. Being derived from BASIC, Blitz syntax was designed to be easy to pick-up for beginners first learning to program...
  
  
• BMX – BlitzMax
  Blitz BASIC
  Blitz BASIC refers to the programming language dialect that was interpreted by the first Blitz compilers, devised by New Zealand-based developer Mark Sibly. Being derived from BASIC, Blitz syntax was designed to be easy to pick-up for beginners first learning to program...
  
  
• C – C
  C (programming language)
  C is a general-purpose computer programming language developed between 1969 and 1973 by Dennis Ritchie at the Bell Telephone Laboratories for use with the Unix operating system....
  
   source
• CLJ – Clojure
  Clojure
  Clojure |closure]]") is a recent dialect of the Lisp programming language created by Rich Hickey. It is a general-purpose language supporting interactive development that encourages a functional programming style, and simplifies multithreaded programming....
  
   source code
• CLS – Visual Basic
  Visual Basic
  Visual Basic is the third-generation event-driven programming language and integrated development environment from Microsoft for its COM programming model...
  
   class
• COB, CBL – COBOL
  COBOL
  COBOL is one of the oldest programming languages. Its name is an acronym for COmmon Business-Oriented Language, defining its primary domain in business, finance, and administrative systems for companies and governments....
  
   source
• CPP, CC, CXX, C – C++
  C++
  C++ is a statically typed, free-form, multi-paradigm, compiled, general-purpose programming language. It is regarded as an intermediate-level language, as it comprises a combination of both high-level and low-level language features. It was developed by Bjarne Stroustrup starting in 1979 at Bell...
  
   source
• CS – C# source
• CSPROJ – C# project (Visual Studio .NET)
• D – D
  D (programming language)
  The D programming language is an object-oriented, imperative, multi-paradigm, system programming language created by Walter Bright of Digital Mars. It originated as a re-engineering of C++, but even though it is mainly influenced by that language, it is not a variant of C++...
  
   source
• DBA – DarkBASIC
  DarkBASIC
  DarkBASIC is a commercial game creation programming language released by The Game Creators. The language is a structured form of BASIC and is similar to AMOS on the Amiga. The purpose of the language is game creation using Microsoft's DirectX from a BASIC programming language. It is faster and...
  
   source
• DBPro – DarkBASIC Professional
  DarkBASIC Professional
  DarkBASIC Professional is a BASIC dialect targeted specifically at 2D and 3D game development. It is available from software company The Game Creators and is an offshoot of their original DarkBASIC programming language...
  
   project
• E – Eiffel
  Eiffel (programming language)
  Eiffel is an ISO-standardized, object-oriented programming language designed by Bertrand Meyer and Eiffel Software. The design of the language is closely connected with the Eiffel programming method...
  
   source
• EFS – EGT Forever Source File
• EGT – EGT Asterisk Source File, could be J, C#, VB.net, EF 2.0 (EGT Forever)
• EL – Emacs Lisp
  Emacs Lisp
  Emacs Lisp is a dialect of the Lisp programming language used by the GNU Emacs and XEmacs text editors . It is used for implementing most of the editing functionality built into Emacs, the remainder being written in C...
  
   source
• FOR, FTN, F, F77, F90 – Fortran
  Fortran
  Fortran is a general-purpose, procedural, imperative programming language that is especially suited to numeric computation and scientific computing...
  
   source
• FRM – Visual Basic
  Visual Basic
  Visual Basic is the third-generation event-driven programming language and integrated development environment from Microsoft for its COM programming model...
  
   form
• FRX – Visual Basic
  Visual Basic
  Visual Basic is the third-generation event-driven programming language and integrated development environment from Microsoft for its COM programming model...
  
   form stash file (binary form file)
• GED – Game Maker
  Game Maker
  GameMaker is a Windows and Mac IDE originally developed by Mark Overmars in the Delphi programming language. It is currently developed and published by YoYo Games, a software company in which Overmars is involved...
  
   Extension Editable file as of version 7.0
• GM6 – Game Maker Editable file as of version 6.x
• GMD – Game Maker Editable file up to version 5.x
• GMK – Game Maker Editable file as of version 7.0
• GML – Game Maker Language script file
• GO – Go
  Go (programming language)
  Go is a compiled, garbage-collected, concurrent programming language developed by Google Inc.The initial design of Go was started in September 2007 by Robert Griesemer, Rob Pike, and Ken Thompson. Go was officially announced in November 2009. In May 2010, Rob Pike publicly stated that Go was being...
  
   source
• H – C/C++ header file
  Header file
  Some programming languages use header files. These files allow programmers to separate certain elements of a program's source code into reusable files. Header files commonly contain forward declarations of classes, subroutines, variables, and other identifiers...
  
  
• HPP, HXX – C++ header file
  Header file
  Some programming languages use header files. These files allow programmers to separate certain elements of a program's source code into reusable files. Header files commonly contain forward declarations of classes, subroutines, variables, and other identifiers...
  
  
• HS – Haskell
  Haskell (programming language)
  Haskell is a standardized, general-purpose purely functional programming language, with non-strict semantics and strong static typing. It is named after logician Haskell Curry. In Haskell, "a function is a first-class citizen" of the programming language. As a functional programming language, the...
  
   source
• INC – Turbo Pascal
  Turbo Pascal
  Turbo Pascal is a software development system that includes a compiler and an integrated development environment for the Pascal programming language running on CP/M, CP/M-86, and DOS, developed by Borland under Philippe Kahn's leadership...
  
   included source
• JAVA – Java
  Java (programming language)
  Java is a programming language originally developed by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems and released in 1995 as a core component of Sun Microsystems' Java platform. The language derives much of its syntax from C and C++ but has a simpler object model and fewer low-level facilities...
  
   source
• L – lex source
• LISP – Common Lisp
  Common Lisp
  Common Lisp, commonly abbreviated CL, is a dialect of the Lisp programming language, published in ANSI standard document ANSI INCITS 226-1994 , . From the ANSI Common Lisp standard the Common Lisp HyperSpec has been derived for use with web browsers...
  
   source
• M – Objective-C
  Objective-C
  Objective-C is a reflective, object-oriented programming language that adds Smalltalk-style messaging to the C programming language.Today, it is used primarily on Apple's Mac OS X and iOS: two environments derived from the OpenStep standard, though not compliant with it...
  
   source
• M – MATLAB
  MATLAB
  MATLAB is a numerical computing environment and fourth-generation programming language. Developed by MathWorks, MATLAB allows matrix manipulations, plotting of functions and data, implementation of algorithms, creation of user interfaces, and interfacing with programs written in other languages,...
  
  
• M – Mathematica
  Mathematica
  Mathematica is a computational software program used in scientific, engineering, and mathematical fields and other areas of technical computing...
  
  
• M4 – m4
  M4 (computer language)
  m4 is a general purpose macro processor designed by Brian Kernighan and Dennis Ritchie. m4 is an extension of an earlier macro processor m3, written by Ritchie for the AP-3 minicomputer.-Use:...
  
   source
• ML – Standard ML
  Standard ML
  Standard ML is a general-purpose, modular, functional programming language with compile-time type checking and type inference. It is popular among compiler writers and programming language researchers, as well as in the development of theorem provers.SML is a modern descendant of the ML...
  
   / Objective Caml
  Objective Caml
  OCaml , originally known as Objective Caml, is the main implementation of the Caml programming language, created by Xavier Leroy, Jérôme Vouillon, Damien Doligez, Didier Rémy and others in 1996...
  
   source
• N – Nemerle source
• NB - Nuclear Basic source
• PAS, PP, P – Pascal
  Pascal (programming language)
  Pascal is an influential imperative and procedural programming language, designed in 1968/9 and published in 1970 by Niklaus Wirth as a small and efficient language intended to encourage good programming practices using structured programming and data structuring.A derivative known as Object Pascal...
  
   source (DPR for projects)
• P – Parser source
• PHP, PHP3, PHP4, PHP5, PHPS, Phtml – PHP
  PHP
  PHP is a general-purpose server-side scripting language originally designed for web development to produce dynamic web pages. For this purpose, PHP code is embedded into the HTML source document and interpreted by a web server with a PHP processor module, which generates the web page document...
  
   source
• PIV – Pivot stickfigure animator
• PL, PM – Perl
  Perl
  Perl is a high-level, general-purpose, interpreted, dynamic programming language. Perl was originally developed by Larry Wall in 1987 as a general-purpose Unix scripting language to make report processing easier. Since then, it has undergone many changes and revisions and become widely popular...
  
  
• PRG – db, clipper, Microsoft FoxPro, harbour and Xbase
• PY – Python
  Python (programming language)
  Python is a general-purpose, high-level programming language whose design philosophy emphasizes code readability. Python claims to "[combine] remarkable power with very clear syntax", and its standard library is large and comprehensive...
  
   source
• RB – Ruby
  Ruby (programming language)
  Ruby is a dynamic, reflective, general-purpose object-oriented programming language that combines syntax inspired by Perl with Smalltalk-like features. Ruby originated in Japan during the mid-1990s and was first developed and designed by Yukihiro "Matz" Matsumoto...
  
   source
• RESX – Resource file for .NET
  .NET Framework
  The .NET Framework is a software framework that runs primarily on Microsoft Windows. It includes a large library and supports several programming languages which allows language interoperability...
  
   applications
• RC, RC2 – Resource script files to generate resources for .NET
  .NET Framework
  The .NET Framework is a software framework that runs primarily on Microsoft Windows. It includes a large library and supports several programming languages which allows language interoperability...
  
   applications
• RKT, RKTL – Racket source
• SCI, SCE – Scilab
  Scilab
  Scilab is an open source, cross-platform numerical computational package and a high-level, numerically oriented programming language. Itcan be used for signal processing, statistical analysis, image enhancement, fluid dynamics simulations, numerical optimization, and modeling and simulation of...
  
  
• SCM – Scheme source
• SKB, SKC – Sage Retrieve 4GL Common Area (Main and Amended backup)
• SKD – Sage Retrieve 4GL Database
• SKF, SKG – Sage Retrieve 4GL File Layouts (Main and Amended backup)
• SKI – Sage Retrieve 4GL Instructions
• SKK – Sage Retrieve 4GL Report Generator
• SKM – Sage Retrieve 4GL Menu
• SKO – Sage Retrieve 4GL Program
• SKP, SKQ – Sage Retrieve 4GL Print Layouts (Main and Amended backup)
• SKS, SKT – Sage Retrieve 4GL Screen Layouts (Main and Amended backup)
• SKZ – Sage Retrieve 4GL Security File
• SLN – Visual Studio solution
• SPIN – Spin source (for Parallax Propeller
  Parallax Propeller
  The Parallax P8X32A Propeller chip, introduced in 2006, is a multi-core architecture parallel microcontroller with eight 32-bit RISC CPU cores....
  
   microcontrollers)
• STK – Stickfigure file for Pivot stickfigure animator
• VAP – Visual Studio Analyzer project
• VB – Visual Basic.NET source
• VBP, VIP – Visual Basic
  Visual Basic
  Visual Basic is the third-generation event-driven programming language and integrated development environment from Microsoft for its COM programming model...
  
   project
• VBG – Visual Studio compatible project group
• VBPROJ – Visual Basic .NET
  Visual Basic .NET
  Visual Basic .NET , is an object-oriented computer programming language that can be viewed as an evolution of the classic Visual Basic , which is implemented on the .NET Framework...
  
   project
• VCPROJ – Visual C++
  Visual C++
  Microsoft Visual C++ is a commercial , integrated development environment product from Microsoft for the C, C++, and C++/CLI programming languages...
  
   project
• VDPROJ – Visual Studio deployment project
• XPL – XProc
  XProc
  XProc is a W3C Recommendation to define an XML transformation language to define XML Pipelines.Below is an example abbreviated XProc file: This is a pipeline that consists of two atomic steps, XInclude and Validate...
  
   script/pipeline
• XQ – XQuery
  XQuery
  - Features :XQuery provides the means to extract and manipulate data from XML documents or any data source that can be viewed as XML, such as relational databases or office documents....
  
   file
• XSL – XSLT
  XSLT
  XSLT is a declarative, XML-based language used for the transformation of XML documents. The original document is not changed; rather, a new document is created based on the content of an existing one. The new document may be serialized by the processor in standard XML syntax or in another format,...
  
   stylesheet
• Y – yacc
  Yacc
  The computer program yacc is a parser generator developed by Stephen C. Johnson at AT&T for the Unix operating system. The name is an acronym for "Yet Another Compiler Compiler." It generates a parser based on an analytic grammar written in a notation similar to BNF.Yacc used to be available as...
  
   source

Spreadsheet

• 123 – Lotus 1-2-3
  Lotus 1-2-3
  Lotus 1-2-3 is a spreadsheet program from Lotus Software . It was the IBM PC's first "killer application"; its huge popularity in the mid-1980s contributed significantly to the success of the IBM PC in the corporate environment.-Beginnings:...
  
  
• AB2 - Abykus worksheet
• AB3 - Abykus workbook
• AWS – Ability
  Ability Office
  Ability Office is an office suite developed by Ability Plus Software and distributed and marketed by Ability Software International and which consists of a word processor, spreadsheet, database, modules for presentation and photo or image editing, plus a photo/image organiser and vector line...
  
   Spreadsheet
• CLF – ThinkFree
  ThinkFree Office
  ThinkFree Office by Haansoft ThinkFree Co. Ltd., a subsidiary company of Haansoft Corporation, is an office suite written in Java that runs on Windows, Linux, Macintosh and Android platforms....
  
   Calc
• CELL – Haansoft(Hancom) SpreadSheet software document
• CSV – Comma-Separated Values
  Comma-separated values
  A comma-separated values file stores tabular data in plain-text form. As a result, such a file is easily human-readable ....
  
  
• numbers – An Apple Numbers Spreadsheet file
• gnumeric – Gnumeric
  Gnumeric
  Gnumeric is a spreadsheet program that is part of the GNOME Free Software Desktop Project. Gnumeric version 1.0 was released December 31, 2001. Gnumeric is distributed as free software under the GNU GPL license; it is intended to replace proprietary and other spreadsheet programs such as Microsoft...
  
   spreadsheet
  Spreadsheet
  A spreadsheet is a computer application that simulates a paper accounting worksheet. It displays multiple cells usually in a two-dimensional matrix or grid consisting of rows and columns. Each cell contains alphanumeric text, numeric values or formulas...
  
  , a gzip
  Gzip
  Gzip is any of several software applications used for file compression and decompression. The term usually refers to the GNU Project's implementation, "gzip" standing for GNU zip. It is based on the DEFLATE algorithm, which is a combination of Lempel-Ziv and Huffman coding...
  
  ed XML
  XML
  Extensible Markup Language is a set of rules for encoding documents in machine-readable form. It is defined in the XML 1.0 Specification produced by the W3C, and several other related specifications, all gratis open standards....
  
   file
• ODS – OpenDocument
  OpenDocument
  The Open Document Format for Office Applications is an XML-based file format for representing electronic documents such as spreadsheets, charts, presentations and word processing documents....
  
   spreadsheet
• OTS – OpenDocument
  OpenDocument
  The Open Document Format for Office Applications is an XML-based file format for representing electronic documents such as spreadsheets, charts, presentations and word processing documents....
  
   spreadsheet template
• QPW – Quattro Pro
  Quattro Pro
  Quattro Pro is a spreadsheet program developed by Borland and now sold by Corel, most often as part of Corel's WordPerfect Office.Historically, Quattro Pro used keyboard commands similar to Lotus 1-2-3. It is commonly said to have been the first program to use tabbed sheets. Actually, Boeing Calc...
  
   spreadsheet
• SDC – StarOffice
  StarOffice
  StarOffice, known briefly as Oracle Open Office before its discontinuation in 2010, is a proprietary office suite. It was originally developed by StarDivision which was acquired by Sun Microsystems in 1999...
  
   StarCalc Spreadsheet
• SLK – SYLK
  Sylk
  Sylk may refer to:* Sylk, a character from the movie Glitter* An initialism for SYmbolic LinK, a spreadsheet file format....
  
   (SYmbolic LinK)
• STC – OpenOffice.org XML
  OpenOffice.org XML
  OpenOffice.org XML is an open XML-based file format developed as an open community effort by Sun Microsystems and other OpenOffice.org project contributors in 2000-2002. The open-source software application suite OpenOffice.org 1.x and StarOffice 6 used the format as their native and default file...
  
   (obsolete) Spreadsheet template
• SXC – OpenOffice.org XML
  OpenOffice.org XML
  OpenOffice.org XML is an open XML-based file format developed as an open community effort by Sun Microsystems and other OpenOffice.org project contributors in 2000-2002. The open-source software application suite OpenOffice.org 1.x and StarOffice 6 used the format as their native and default file...
  
   (obsolete) Spreadsheet
• TAB – tab delimited columns; also TSV (Tab-Separated Values
  Tab-separated values
  A tab-separated values file is a simple text format for a database table. Each record in the table is one line of the text file. Each field value of a record is separated from the next by a tab stop character – it is a form of the more general delimiter-separated values format.TSV is a simple file...
  
  )
• TXT – tab delimited columns
• VC – Visicalc
• WK1 – Lotus 1-2-3
  Lotus 1-2-3
  Lotus 1-2-3 is a spreadsheet program from Lotus Software . It was the IBM PC's first "killer application"; its huge popularity in the mid-1980s contributed significantly to the success of the IBM PC in the corporate environment.-Beginnings:...
  
   up to version 2.01
• WK3 – Lotus 1-2-3
  Lotus 1-2-3
  Lotus 1-2-3 is a spreadsheet program from Lotus Software . It was the IBM PC's first "killer application"; its huge popularity in the mid-1980s contributed significantly to the success of the IBM PC in the corporate environment.-Beginnings:...
  
   version 3.0
• WK4 – Lotus 1-2-3
  Lotus 1-2-3
  Lotus 1-2-3 is a spreadsheet program from Lotus Software . It was the IBM PC's first "killer application"; its huge popularity in the mid-1980s contributed significantly to the success of the IBM PC in the corporate environment.-Beginnings:...
  
   version 4.0
• WKS – Lotus 1-2-3
  Lotus 1-2-3
  Lotus 1-2-3 is a spreadsheet program from Lotus Software . It was the IBM PC's first "killer application"; its huge popularity in the mid-1980s contributed significantly to the success of the IBM PC in the corporate environment.-Beginnings:...
  
  
• WKS – Microsoft Works
  Microsoft Works
  Microsoft Works is an integrated package software that is produced by Microsoft. Works is smaller, less expensive, and has fewer features than Microsoft Office or other major office suites. Its core functionality includes a word processor, a spreadsheet and a database management system...
  
  
• WQ1 – Quattro Pro
  Quattro Pro
  Quattro Pro is a spreadsheet program developed by Borland and now sold by Corel, most often as part of Corel's WordPerfect Office.Historically, Quattro Pro used keyboard commands similar to Lotus 1-2-3. It is commonly said to have been the first program to use tabbed sheets. Actually, Boeing Calc...
  
   DOS version
• XLK – Microsoft Excel
  Microsoft Excel
  Microsoft Excel is a proprietary commercial spreadsheet application written and distributed by Microsoft for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. It features calculation, graphing tools, pivot tables, and a macro programming language called Visual Basic for Applications...
  
   worksheet backup
• XLS – Microsoft Excel
  Microsoft Excel
  Microsoft Excel is a proprietary commercial spreadsheet application written and distributed by Microsoft for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. It features calculation, graphing tools, pivot tables, and a macro programming language called Visual Basic for Applications...
  
   worksheet sheet (97-2003)
• XLSB – Microsoft Excel
  Microsoft Excel
  Microsoft Excel is a proprietary commercial spreadsheet application written and distributed by Microsoft for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. It features calculation, graphing tools, pivot tables, and a macro programming language called Visual Basic for Applications...
  
   binary workbook
• XLSM – Microsoft Excel
  Microsoft Excel
  Microsoft Excel is a proprietary commercial spreadsheet application written and distributed by Microsoft for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. It features calculation, graphing tools, pivot tables, and a macro programming language called Visual Basic for Applications...
  
   Macro-enabled workbook
• XLSX – Office Open XML worksheet sheet
• XLR – Microsoft Works
  Microsoft Works
  Microsoft Works is an integrated package software that is produced by Microsoft. Works is smaller, less expensive, and has fewer features than Microsoft Office or other major office suites. Its core functionality includes a word processor, a spreadsheet and a database management system...
  
   version 6.0
• XLT – Microsoft Excel
  Microsoft Excel
  Microsoft Excel is a proprietary commercial spreadsheet application written and distributed by Microsoft for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. It features calculation, graphing tools, pivot tables, and a macro programming language called Visual Basic for Applications...
  
   worksheet template
• XLTM – Microsoft Excel
  Microsoft Excel
  Microsoft Excel is a proprietary commercial spreadsheet application written and distributed by Microsoft for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. It features calculation, graphing tools, pivot tables, and a macro programming language called Visual Basic for Applications...
  
   Macro-enabled worksheet template
• XLW – Microsoft Excel
  Microsoft Excel
  Microsoft Excel is a proprietary commercial spreadsheet application written and distributed by Microsoft for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. It features calculation, graphing tools, pivot tables, and a macro programming language called Visual Basic for Applications...
  
   worksheet workspace (version 4.0)

Tabulated data

• TSV – Tab-separated values
  Tab-separated values
  A tab-separated values file is a simple text format for a database table. Each record in the table is one line of the text file. Each field value of a record is separated from the next by a tab stop character – it is a form of the more general delimiter-separated values format.TSV is a simple file...
  
  
• CSV – Comma-separated values
  Comma-separated values
  A comma-separated values file stores tabular data in plain-text form. As a result, such a file is easily human-readable ....
  
  
• db
  Databank format
  A file format is a particular way to encode information for storage in a computer file.The databank format is an ASCII file format for time series econometric analysis. The format was popularized by microTSP....
  
   – databank format; accessible by many econometric
  Econometrics
  Econometrics has been defined as "the application of mathematics and statistical methods to economic data" and described as the branch of economics "that aims to give empirical content to economic relations." More precisely, it is "the quantitative analysis of actual economic phenomena based on...
  
   applications
• dif
  Data Interchange Format
  Data Interchange Format is a text file format used to import/export single spreadsheets between spreadsheet programs . It is also known as "Navy DIF"...
  
   – accessible by many spreadsheet
  Spreadsheet
  A spreadsheet is a computer application that simulates a paper accounting worksheet. It displays multiple cells usually in a two-dimensional matrix or grid consisting of rows and columns. Each cell contains alphanumeric text, numeric values or formulas...
  
   applications

Video

• AAF
  Advanced Authoring Format
  The Advanced Authoring Format is a professional file interchange format designed for the video post production and authoring environment. The AAF was created by the Advanced Media Workflow Association . The AMWA develops specifications and technologies to facilitate the deployment and operation...
  
   – mostly intended to hold edit decisions and rendering information, but can also contain compressed media essence
• 3GP
  3GP
  3GP is a multimedia container format defined by the Third Generation Partnership Project for 3G UMTS multimedia services. It is used on 3G mobile phones but can also be played on some 2G and 4G phones....
  
   – the most common video format for cell phones
• GIF – Animated GIF (simple animation; until recently often avoided because of patent problems)
• ASF
  Advanced Systems Format
  Advanced Systems Format is Microsoft's proprietary digital audio/digital video container format, especially meant for streaming media...
  
   – container (enables any form of compression to be used; MPEG-4
  MPEG-4
  MPEG-4 is a method of defining compression of audio and visual digital data. It was introduced in late 1998 and designated a standard for a group of audio and video coding formats and related technology agreed upon by the ISO/IEC Moving Picture Experts Group under the formal standard ISO/IEC...
  
   is common; video in ASF-containers is also called Windows Media Video
  Windows Media Video
  'Windows Media Video is a video compression format for several proprietary codecs developed by Microsoft. The original video format, known as WMV, was originally designed for Internet streaming applications, as a competitor to RealVideo. The other formats, such as WMV Screen and WMV Image, cater...
  
   (WMV))
• AVCHD – Advanced Video Codec High Definition
• AVI
  Audio Video Interleave
  Audio Video Interleave , known by its acronym AVI, is a multimedia container format introduced by Microsoft in November 1992 as part of its Video for Windows technology. AVI files can contain both audio and video data in a file container that allows synchronous audio-with-video playback...
  
   – container (a shell, which enables any form of compression to be used)
• CAM – aMSN
  AMSN
  aMSN is a free Windows Live Messenger clone. aMSN attempts to emulate the look and feel of Windows Live Messenger, and supports many of its features...
  
   webcam log file
• DAT
  Digital Audio Tape
  Digital Audio Tape is a signal recording and playback medium developed by Sony and introduced in 1987. In appearance it is similar to a compact audio cassette, using 4 mm magnetic tape enclosed in a protective shell, but is roughly half the size at 73 mm × 54 mm × 10.5 mm. As...
  
   – video standard data file (automatically created when we attempted to burn as video file on the CD)
• DSH
• FLV – Flash video (encoded to run in a flash animation)
• M1V MPEG-1
  MPEG-1
  MPEG-1 is a standard for lossy compression of video and audio. It is designed to compress VHS-quality raw digital video and CD audio down to 1.5 Mbit/s without excessive quality loss, making video CDs, digital cable/satellite TV and digital audio broadcasting possible.Today, MPEG-1 has become...
  
   – Video
• M2V MPEG-2
  MPEG-2
  MPEG-2 is a standard for "the generic coding of moving pictures and associated audio information". It describes a combination of lossy video compression and lossy audio data compression methods which permit storage and transmission of movies using currently available storage media and transmission...
  
   – Video
• FLA – Macromedia Flash (for producing)
• FLR – (text file which contains scripts extracted from SWF by a free ActionScript decompiler named FLARE
  Flare
  -In culture and the arts:*Flare , an acrobatic move employed in b-boying, commonly known as breakdance, and gymnastics*Flare , a female hero who is a member of the League of Champions...
  
  )
• SOL – Adobe Flash
  Adobe Flash
  Adobe Flash is a multimedia platform used to add animation, video, and interactivity to web pages. Flash is frequently used for advertisements, games and flash animations for broadcast...
  
   shared object ("Flash cookie")
• M4V
  M4V
  M4V is a file container format used by Apple's iTunes application. The M4V file format is a video file format developed by Apple and is very close to MP4 format...
  
   – (file format for videos for iPods and PlayStation Portables developed by Apple)
• Matroska
  Matroska
  The Matroska Multimedia Container is an open standard free container format, a file format that can hold an unlimited number of video, audio, picture or subtitle tracks in one file. It is intended to serve as a universal format for storing common multimedia content, like movies or TV shows...
  
   (*.mkv) – Matroska is a container format, which enables any video format such as MPEG-4 ASP
  MPEG-4 Part 2
  MPEG-4 Part 2, MPEG-4 Visual is a video compression technology developed by MPEG. It belongs to the MPEG-4 ISO/IEC standards. It is a discrete cosine transform compression standard, similar to previous standards such as MPEG-1 and MPEG-2...
  
   or AVC
  H.264/MPEG-4 AVC
  H.264/MPEG-4 Part 10 or AVC is a standard for video compression, and is currently one of the most commonly used formats for the recording, compression, and distribution of high definition video...
  
   to be used along with other content such as subtitle
  Subtitle (captioning)
  Subtitles are textual versions of the dialog in films and television programs, usually displayed at the bottom of the screen. They can either be a form of written translation of a dialog in a foreign language, or a written rendering of the dialog in the same language, with or without added...
  
  s and detailed meta
  Metadata
  The term metadata is an ambiguous term which is used for two fundamentally different concepts . Although the expression "data about data" is often used, it does not apply to both in the same way. Structural metadata, the design and specification of data structures, cannot be about data, because at...
  
   information
• WRAP – MediaForge (*.wrap)
• MNG – mainly simple animation containing PNG and JPEG objects, often somewhat more complex than animated GIF
• QuickTime (.mov) – container which enables any form of compression to be used; Sorenson codec
  Sorenson codec
  Sorenson codec may refer to either of three proprietary video codecs: Sorenson Video, Sorenson Video 3 or Sorenson Spark. Sorenson Video is also known as Sorenson Video Codec, Sorenson Video Quantizer or SVQ...
  
   is the most common; QTCH
  Qtch
  qtch is a filetype used by QuickTime to store audio or video files streamed from a server on the client's computer hard drive.The first 16 bytes are:Hex ; ASCII...
  
   is the filetype for cached video and audio streams
• MPEG (.mpeg, .mpg, .mpe)
• MPEG-4 Part 14
  MPEG-4 Part 14
  MPEG-4 Part 14 or MP4 is a multimedia container format standard specified as a part of MPEG-4. It is most commonly used to store digital video and digital audio streams, especially those defined by MPEG, but can also be used to store other data such as subtitles and still images...
  
  , shortened "MP4" – multimedia container (most often used for Sony's PlayStation Portable
  PlayStation Portable
  The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
  
   and Apple's iPod
  IPod
  iPod is a line of portable media players created and marketed by Apple Inc. The product line-up currently consists of the hard drive-based iPod Classic, the touchscreen iPod Touch, the compact iPod Nano, and the ultra-compact iPod Shuffle...
  
  )
• MXF
  MXF
  Material eXchange Format is a container format for professional digital video and audio media defined by a set of SMPTE standards.- A brief summary of MXF :...
  
   – Material Exchange Format (standardized wrapper format for audio/visual material developed by SMPTE)
• ROQ – used by Quake 3
• NSV
  Nullsoft Streaming Video
  Nullsoft Streaming Video is a media container designed for streaming video content over the internet. NSV was developed by Nullsoft, the makers of Winamp....
  
   – Nullsoft Streaming Video (media container designed for streaming video content over the Internet)
• Ogg
  Ogg
  Ogg is a free, open container format maintained by the Xiph.Org Foundation. The creators of the Ogg format state that it is unrestricted by software patents and is designed to provide for efficient streaming and manipulation of high quality digital multimedia.The Ogg container format can multiplex...
  
   – container, multimedia
• RM – RealMedia
  RealMedia
  RealMedia is a proprietary multimedia container format created by RealNetworks. Its extension is ".rm". It is typically used in conjunction with RealVideo and RealAudio and is used for streaming content over the Internet....
  
  
• SVI – Samsung video format for portable players
• SMI
  SAMI
  SAMI is a Microsoft accessibility initiative released in 1998. The structured markup language is designed to simplify creating captions for media playback on a PC, i.e. not for broadcast purposes....
  
   – SAMI Caption file (HTML like subtitle for movie files)
• SWF – Macromedia Flash (for viewing)
• WMV – Windows Media Video (See ASF)

Video editing, production

• FCP – Final Cut Pro
  Final Cut Pro
  Final Cut Pro is a non-linear video editing software developed by Macromedia Inc. and then Apple Inc. The most recent version, Final Cut Pro X, runs on Mac personal computers powered by Mac OS X version 10.6.7 or later and using Intel processors...
  
   project file
• MSWMM – Windows Movie Maker
  Windows Movie Maker
  Windows Movie Maker is a video creating/editing software application, included in Microsoft Windows Me, XP, and Vista. It contains features such as effects, transitions, titles/credits, audio track, timeline narration, and Auto Movie. New effects and transitions can be made and existing ones can be...
  
   project file
• PPJ – Adobe Premiere Pro
  Adobe Premiere Pro
  Adobe Premiere Pro is a timeline-based video editing software application. It is part of the Adobe Creative Suite, a suite of graphic design, video editing, and web development applications developed by Adobe Systems, though it can also be purchased separately. When purchased separately, it comes...
  
   video editing file
• IMOVIEPROJ – iMovie
  IMovie
  iMovie is a proprietary video editing software application which allows Mac, iPod Touch 4th generation, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, and iPad 2 users to edit their own home movies. It was originally released by Apple in 1999 as a Mac OS 8 application bundled with the first FireWire-enabled consumer Apple...
  
   project file
• VEG & VEG-BAK – Sony Vegas project file
• SUF – Sony camera configuration file (setup.suf) produced by XDCAM-EX camcorders

Video game data

List of common file formats of data for video games on systems that support filesystems, most commonly PC games.

• HALO Engine – File formats used by games based on the Halo
  Halo (series)
  Halo is a multi-million dollar science fiction video game franchise created by Bungie and now managed by 343 Industries and owned by Microsoft Studios. The series centers on an interstellar war between humanity and a theocratic alliance of aliens known as the Covenant...
  
   engine.
  • MAP – A Level, User Interface, or Sounds
  • TAG – An Object
  • SAV – A saved game
  • LEV – A HALO ZERO Level
• TrackMania United/Nations Forever Engine – File formats used by games based on the TrackMania
  TrackMania
  TrackMania is a series of racing games for the Windows PC, Nintendo DS and Wii platforms, originally developed by the French team Nadéo for the PC...
  
   engine.
  • CHALLENGE.GBX – (Edited) Challenge files.
  • CONSTRUCTIONCAMPAIGN.GBX – Construction campaignes files.
  • CONTROLEFFECTMASTER.GBX/CONTROLSTYLE.GBX – Menu parts.
  • FIDCACHE.GBX – Saved game.
  • GBX – Other TrackMania items.
  • REPLAY.GBX – Replays of races.
• DOOM Engine – File formats used by games based on the DOOM
  Doom
  Doom may refer to:* dōm, the Anglo-Saxon word meaning "judgment", "law"** Doom book the Laws of King Aelfred, Legal Code of Alfred the Great, Code of Alfred 893* Doom , a painting that depicts the Last Judgment...
  
   engine.
  • DEH – DeHackEd
    DeHackEd
    DeHackEd is an editor originally created for the executable of the original Doom, that allows the operation of the executable to be changed. Hit points, sounds, frame sequences, text strings and several other miscellaneous values can be changed. Modifications can be distributed in the form of...
    
     files to mutate the game executable (not officially part of the DOOM engine)
  • DSG – Saved game
  • LMP – A lump is an entry in a DOOM wad.
  • LMP – Saved demo recording
  • MUS – Music file (usually contained within a WAD file)
  • WAD
    Doom WAD
    Doom WAD format is default format of package files for the video game Doom or its sequel Doom II, that are containing sprites, levels, and game data. WAD stands for Where's All the Data?...
    
     – Data storage (contains music, maps, and textures)
• Quake Engine – File formats used by games based on the Quake
  Quake (series)
  The Quake series is a line of first-person shooter video games produced by id Software.-Overview:The Quake series is somewhat unusual in that its focus changes frequently; the story of Quake II has nothing to do with Quake, and Quake III Arena has little to do with either of its predecessors...
  
   engine.
  • BSP – (For Binary space partitioning
    Binary space partitioning
    In computer science, binary space partitioning is a method for recursively subdividing a space into convex sets by hyperplanes. This subdivision gives rise to a representation of the scene by means of a tree data structure known as a BSP tree.Originally, this approach was proposed in 3D computer...
    
    ) compiled map format
  • MAP
    MAP (file format)
    .MAP files are a type of debugging symbol.These are typically plain text files that indicate the relative offsets of functions for a given version of a compiled binary.-Levels:.MAP files are also uncompiled Quake maps. These files are plain text files...
    
     – Raw map format used by editors
    Level editor
    A level editor is a software tool used to design levels, maps, campaigns, etc and virtual worlds for a video game. In some cases the creator of a video game releases an official level editor for a game, but other times the community of fans step in to fill the void...
    
     like GtkRadiant
    GtkRadiant
    GtkRadiant is a level design program developed by id Software and Loki Software. It is used to create maps for a number of video games. It is maintained by id Software together with a number of volunteers.-History:...
    
     or QuArK
    Quake Army Knife
    QuArK , is a free and open source program for developing 3D assets for a large variety of video games, mostly first-person shooters using engines similar to or based on the Quake engine by id Software...
    
    
  • MDL
    Simulink
    Simulink, developed by MathWorks, is a commercial tool for modeling, simulating and analyzing multidomain dynamic systems. Its primary interface is a graphical block diagramming tool and a customizable set of block libraries. It offers tight integration with the rest of the MATLAB environment and...
    
    /MD2
    MD2 (file format)
    MD2 is a model format used by id Software's id Tech 2 engine and is thus used by Quake II as well as many other games, most of them using this engine, including SiN and Soldier of Fortune. The format is primarily used for animated player models although it can also be used for static models...
    
    /MD3
    MD3 (file format)
    MD3 is a model format used by the Quake 3 engine as well as its many mods. The format is used mostly for player models and non-structural geometry although it may be used for structural uses. The format does not support skeletal animation...
    
    /MD5 – Model for an item used in the game
  • PAK
    PAK (file format)
    The .PAK extension is frequently used as an abbreviation of "package" and there are many different formats.There is no standard for this extension.Applications using .PAK files are typically, but not only, video games.- Uses :Examples include:...
    
    /PK2
    PK2 (file extension)
    The .PK2 file extension is used by Silkroad Online, a MMORPG developed by . Even though it is similarly named and used, this file format is incompatible with the file formats used by the Quake engine. The .pk2 file extension is used primarily for video games and CD+G Karaoke Files....
    
     – Data storage
  • PK3
    PK3 (file extension)
    A .PK3 file is a renamed ZIP file, used in games based on the Quake III engine. It usually contains a checksum to prevent the opening and recompression of the file, or the addition of extra maps to demo versions...
    
    /PK4
    PK4 (file extension)
    The PK4 file format is a .zip file identical to the PK3 file format. It has been used in Doom 3, Quake 4 and other games using the id Tech 4 game engine to store levels and other game files....
    
     – used by the Quake II
    Quake II
    Quake II, released on December 9, 1997, is a first-person shooter computer game developed by Id Software and distributed by Activision. It is not a sequel to Quake; it merely uses the name of the former game due to Id's difficulties in coming up with alternative names.The soundtrack for Quake II...
    
    , Quake III Arena
    Quake III Arena
    Quake III Arena , is a multiplayer first-person shooter video game released on December 2, 1999. The game was developed by id Software and featured music composed by Sonic Mayhem and Front Line Assembly...
    
     and Quake 4
    Quake 4
    Quake 4 is the fourth title in the series of Quake first-person shooter computer games. The game was developed by Raven Software and published by Activision. Raven Software has collaborated with id Software, the creators and historical developers of preceding Quake games...
    
     game engines, respectively, to store game data, textures etc. They are actually .zip files.
  • .dat – general data contained within the .PK3/PK4 files
    • .fontdat – a .dat file used for formatting game fonts
  • .roq – Video format
• Unreal Engine
  Unreal Engine
  The Unreal Engine is a game engine developed by Epic Games, first illustrated in the 1998 first-person shooter game Unreal. Although primarily developed for first-person shooters, it has been successfully used in a variety of other genres, including stealth, MMORPGs and RPGs...
  
  – File formats used by games based on the Unreal
  Unreal
  Unreal is a first-person shooter video game developed by Epic MegaGames and Digital Extremes and published by GT Interactive in May 1998...
  
   engine.
  • U – Unreal script format
  • UAX – Animations format for Unreal Engine 2
  • UMX – Map format for Unreal Tournament
    Unreal Tournament
    Unreal Tournament is a futuristic first-person shooter video game co-developed by Epic Games and Digital Extremes. It was published in 1999 by GT Interactive. Retrospectively, the game has also been referred to as UT99 or UT Classic to differentiate it from its numbered sequels...
    
    
  • UMX – Music format for Unreal Engine 1
  • UNR – Map format for Unreal
    Unreal
    Unreal is a first-person shooter video game developed by Epic MegaGames and Digital Extremes and published by GT Interactive in May 1998...
    
    
  • UPK – Package format for cooked content in Unreal Engine 3
  • USX – Sound format for Unreal Engine 1 and Unreal Engine 2
  • UT2 – Map format for Unreal Tournament 2003
    Unreal Tournament 2003
    Unreal Tournament 2003 or UT2003 is a first-person shooter video game designed mainly for multiplayer gaming. The game is part of the Unreal franchise's series of games, and is a sequel to Unreal Tournament ....
    
     and Unreal Tournament 2004
    Unreal Tournament 2004
    Unreal Tournament 2004, also known as UT2K4 and UT2004, is a futuristic first-person shooter computer game developed by Epic Games and Digital Extremes...
    
    
  • UT3 – Map format for Unreal Tournament 3
  • UTX – Texture format for Unreal Engine 1 and Unreal Engine 2
  • UXX – Cache format. These are files that client downloaded from server (which can be converted to regular formats)
• Duke Nukem 3D
  Duke Nukem 3D
  Duke Nukem 3D is a first-person shooter computer game developed by 3D Realms and published by GT Interactive Software. The full version was released for the PC . It is a sequel to the platform games Duke Nukem and Duke Nukem II published by Apogee...
  
   Engine – File formats used by games based on the Duke Nukem 3D
  Duke Nukem 3D
  Duke Nukem 3D is a first-person shooter computer game developed by 3D Realms and published by GT Interactive Software. The full version was released for the PC . It is a sequel to the platform games Duke Nukem and Duke Nukem II published by Apogee...
  
   engine.
  • DMO – Save game
  • GRP – Data storage
  • MAP – Map (usually constructed with BUILD.EXE
    Build engine
    The Build engine is a first-person shooter engine created by Ken Silverman for 3D Realms. Like the Doom engine, the Build engine represents its world on a two-dimensional grid using closed 2D shapes called sectors, and uses simple flat objects called sprites to populate the world geometry with...
    
    )
• Diablo Engine – File formats used by Diablo by Blizzard Entertainment.
  • SV – Save Game
  • ITM – Item File
• Real Virtuality
  Real Virtuality (engine)
  Real Virtuality is a computer game engine developed by Bohemia Interactive Studio , originally called Poseidon. It is used in the video game Operation Flashpoint and its expansions, as well as Arma, Arma 2 and Arma 3...
  
   Engine – File formats used by Bohemia Interactive. Operation:Flashpoint, ARMA 2
  ArmA 2
  ARMA 2 is a tactical shooter video game for the PC developed by Bohemia Interactive Studio. It is considered the spiritual successor in the Operation Flashpoint-series following its predecessor, ArmA: Armed Assault . ARMA 2 was released in June and July 2009...
  
  , VBS2
  VBS2
  VBS2 is the successor of the battlefield simulation system VBS1. It was developed in close cooperation with the USMC, Australian Defence Force and other military customers of VBS1. VBS2 was officially launched on 17 April 2007....
  
  
  • SQF – Format used for general editing
  • SQM – Format used for mission files
  • PBO – Binarized file used for compiled models
  • LIP – Format that is created from WAV files to create in-game accurate lip-synch for character animations.
• Other Formats
  • B – used for Grand Theft Auto
    Grand Theft Auto (video game)
    Grand Theft Auto is a 1997 action-adventure video game created by British games developer DMA Design and published by BMG Interactive. The game allows the player to take on the role of a criminal who can roam freely around a big city. Various missions are set for completion, such as bank...
    
     saved game files
  • BOL – used for levels on Poing!PC
  • DBPF – The Sims 2
    The Sims 2
    The Sims 2 is a strategic life simulation computer game developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts. It is the sequel to the best-selling computer game, The Sims, which debuted on February 4, 2000. It was first released on September 14, 2004 for Microsoft Windows. A port to Apple Mac OS X...
    
    , DBPF, Package
  • HE0, HE2, HE4 HE games File
  • GCF – format used by the Steam content management system for file archives.
  • IMG – format used by Renderware
    RenderWare
    RenderWare is a computer and video game middleware from British games developer Criterion Software.-Overview:RenderWare is a 3D API and graphics rendering engine used in video games, Active Worlds, and some VRML browsers...
    
    -based Grand Theft Auto
    Grand Theft Auto (series)
    Grand Theft Auto is a multi-award-winning British video game series created in the United Kingdom by Dave Jones, then later by brothers Dan Houser and Sam Houser, and game designer Zachary Clarke. It is primarily developed by Edinburgh based Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games...
    
    games for data storage
  • MAP – format used by Halo: Combat Evolved
    Halo: Combat Evolved
    Halo: Combat Evolved, frequently referred to as Halo: CE, or Halo 1, is a first-person shooter video game developed by Bungie and published by Microsoft Game Studios. The first game of the Halo franchise, it was released on November 15, 2001 as a launch title for the Xbox gaming system, and is...
    
     for archive compression, Doom³, and various other games
  • OEC – format used by OE-Cake
    OE-Cake
    OE-Cake, OE-CAKE! or OE Cake is a 2.5D fluids-based demonstration program for Prometech Software Inc.'s PhysiCafe and Octave Engine which is one of the first engines able to have the ability to process water and other materials in real-time. In the program, which acts as a physics-based paint...
    
     for scene data storage.
  • P3D – format for panda3d by disney.
  • POD – format used by Terminal Reality
    Terminal Reality
    Terminal Reality is a video game development and production company based in Lewisville, Texas. Founded in 1994 by ex-Microsoft employee Mark Randel and former Mallard Software general manager Brett Combs, Terminal Reality develops a variety of games including racing games , 3D action games , and...
    
    
  • REP – used by Blizzard Entertainment
    Blizzard Entertainment
    Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. is an American video game developer and publisher founded on February 8, 1991 under the name Silicon & Synapse by three graduates of UCLA, Michael Morhaime, Allen Adham and Frank Pearce and currently owned by French company Activision Blizzard...
    
     for scenario replays in StarCraft
    StarCraft
    StarCraft is a military science fiction real-time strategy video game developed by Blizzard Entertainment. The first game of the StarCraft series was released for Microsoft Windows on 31 March 1998. With more than 11 million copies sold worldwide as of February 2009, it is one of the best-selling...
    
    .
  • Simcity 4
    SimCity 4
    SimCity 4 is a city-building/urban planning simulation computer game developed by Maxis, a subsidiary of Electronic Arts. It was released on January 14, 2003. It is the fourth installment in the SimCity series. SimCity 4 has a single expansion pack called Rush Hour which adds features to the game...
    
    , DBPF
    DBPF (file format)
    DBPF, or Database-Packed File, is a file used by Electronic Arts to store and index data inside a single file for several computer games. These games include SimCity 4, The Sims 2, The Sims Online, Spore/Spore Creature Creator and The Sims 3.Like many game data formats, the file is able to archive...
    
     (.dat, .SC4Lot, .SC4Model) – All game plugins use this format, commonly with different file extensions
  • SMZIP – ZIP-based package for Stepmania
    StepMania
    StepMania is an open source and cross-platform rhythm video game and engine. It was originally developed as a simulator of Konami's arcade game series Dance Dance Revolution, and has since evolved into an extensible rhythm game engine capable of supporting a wide variety of rhythm-based game types...
    
     songs, themes and announcer packs.

Video game storage media

List of the most common filename extensions used when a game's ROM image

ROM image

A ROM image, or ROM file, is a computer file which contains a copy of the data from a read-only memory chip, often from a video game cartridge, a computer's firmware, or from an arcade game's main board...

 or storage medium is copied from an original ROM

Read-only memory

Read-only memory is a class of storage medium used in computers and other electronic devices. Data stored in ROM cannot be modified, or can be modified only slowly or with difficulty, so it is mainly used to distribute firmware .In its strictest sense, ROM refers only...

 device to an external memory such as hard disk

Hard disk

A hard disk drive is a non-volatile, random access digital magnetic data storage device. It features rotating rigid platters on a motor-driven spindle within a protective enclosure. Data is magnetically read from and written to the platter by read/write heads that float on a film of air above the...

 for back up purposes or for making the game playable with an emulator

Emulator

In computing, an emulator is hardware or software or both that duplicates the functions of a first computer system in a different second computer system, so that the behavior of the second system closely resembles the behavior of the first system...

. In the case of cartridge-based software, if the platform specific extension is not used then filename extensions ".rom" or ".bin" are usually used to clarify that the file contains a copy of a content of a ROM. ROM, disk or tape images usually do not consist of a single file or ROM, rather an entire file or ROM structure contained within a single file on the backup medium.

• JAG,J64 – Atari Jaguar
  Atari Jaguar
  The Atari Jaguar is a video game console that was released by Atari Corporation in 1993. It was the last to be marketed under the Atari brand until the release of the Atari Flashback in 2004. It was designed to surpass the Mega Drive/Genesis, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and the Panasonic...
  
   (.jag, .j64)
• BIN – Wii
  Wii
  The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
  
   (.bin)
• NDS – Nintendo DS
  Nintendo DS
  The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
  
   (.nds)
• GB – Game Boy
  Game Boy
  The , is an 8-bit handheld video game device developed and manufactured by Nintendo. It was released in Japan on , in North America in , and in Europe on...
  
   (.gb) (this applies to the original Game Boy and the Game Boy Color
  Game Boy Color
  The is Nintendo's successor to the 8-bit Game Boy handheld game console, and was released on October 21, 1998 in Japan, November 19, 1998 in North America, November 23, 1998 in Europe and November 27, 1998 in the United Kingdom. It features a color screen and is slightly thicker and taller than...
  
  )
• GBC – Game Boy Color
  Game Boy Color
  The is Nintendo's successor to the 8-bit Game Boy handheld game console, and was released on October 21, 1998 in Japan, November 19, 1998 in North America, November 23, 1998 in Europe and November 27, 1998 in the United Kingdom. It features a color screen and is slightly thicker and taller than...
  
   (.gbc)
• GBA – Game Boy Advance
  Game Boy Advance
  The is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...
  
   (.gba)
• GBA – Game Boy Advance
  Game Boy Advance
  The is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...
  
   (.gba)
• SAV – Game Boy Advance
  Game Boy Advance
  The is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...
  
   Saved Data Files (.sav)
• SGM – Visual Boy Advance Save States (.sgm)
• N64, V64, Z64, U64, USA, JAP, PAL, EUR, BIN – Nintendo 64
  Nintendo 64
  The , often referred to as N64, was Nintendo′s third home video game console for the international market. Named for its 64-bit CPU, it was released in June 1996 in Japan, September 1996 in North America, March 1997 in Europe and Australia, September 1997 in France and December 1997 in Brazil...
  
   (.n64, .v64, .z64, .u64, .usa, .jap, .pal, .eur, .bin)
• PJ – Project 64
  Project64
  Project64 is a proprietary Nintendo 64 emulator for Windows. It employs a plug-in system that allows third-party software developers to create their own implementation of a specified component...
  
   Save States (.pj)
• NES – Nintendo Entertainment System
  Nintendo Entertainment System
  The Nintendo Entertainment System is an 8-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America during 1985, in Europe during 1986 and Australia in 1987...
  
   (.nes)
• FDS – Famicom Disk System (.fds)
• JST – Jnes
  Jnes
  Jnes is a NES emulator for Microsoft Windows. It is coded by Jabo, who is known for his work on Project64, a Nintendo 64 emulator. Using DirectX for hardware acceleration, Jnes also features online play with Kaillera, and the ability to use codes for cheat devices like the Game Genie and Pro Action...
  
   Save States (.jst)
• FC? – FCEUX Save States (.fc#, where # is any character, usually a number)
• GG – Sega Game Gear
  Sega Game Gear
  The was Sega's first handheld game console. It was the third commercially available color handheld console, after the Atari Lynx and the TurboExpress....
  
   (.gg)
• SMS – Sega Master System
  Sega Master System
  The is a third-generation video game console that was manufactured and released by Sega in 1985 in Japan , 1986 in North America and 1987 in Europe....
  
   (.sms)
• SMD,BIN – Mega Drive/Sega Genesis (.smd or .bin)
• SMC,078 – Super NES
  Super Nintendo Entertainment System
  The Super Nintendo Entertainment System is a 16-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America, Europe, Australasia , and South America between 1990 and 1993. In Japan and Southeast Asia, the system is called the , or SFC for short...
  
   (.smc, or .078) (.078 is for split ROMs, which are rare)
• FIG – Super Famicom (Japanese releases are rarely .fig, above extensions are more common)
• SRM – Super NES Saved Data Files (.srm)
• ZST – ZSNES
  ZSNES
  ZSNES is a free software SNES emulator written mostly in x86 assembly with official ports for Linux, MS-DOS, Mac OS X, Windows and an unofficial port for Xbox.-Background:...
  
   Save States (.zst, .zs1-.zs9, .z10-.z99)
• FRZ – Snes9X
  Snes9x
  Snes9x is an SNES emulator written in C++ with official ports for Linux, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, the PSP and Android.-Background:Development of Snes9x began in July 1997 when Snes96's Gary Henderson and Snes97's Jerremy Koot merged their respective emulators to create Snes9x. Since then,...
  
   Save States (.frz, .000-.008)
• PCE – TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine (.pce)
• NPC – Neo Geo Pocket
  Neo Geo Pocket
  The Neo Geo Pocket was SNK's first hand held video game system, released in Japan in late 1998; however, lower than expected sales resulted in its discontinuation in 1999, and was immediately succeeded by the Neo Geo Pocket Color. The system only had a retail release within the Japan and Hong Kong...
  
   (.npc)
• TZX – ZX Spectrum
  ZX Spectrum
  The ZX Spectrum is an 8-bit personal home computer released in the United Kingdom in 1982 by Sinclair Research Ltd...
  
   (.tzx) (for exact copies of ZX Spectrum games)
• TAP (for tape images without copy protection)
• Z80,SNA – (for snapshots of the emulator RAM)
• DSK – (for disk images)
• TAP – Commodore 64
  Commodore 64
  The Commodore 64 is an 8-bit home computer introduced by Commodore International in January 1982.Volume production started in the spring of 1982, with machines being released on to the market in August at a price of US$595...
  
   (.tap) (for tape images including copy protection)
• T64 – (for tape images without copy protection, considerably smaller than .tap files)
• D64 – (for disk images)
• CRT – (for cartridge images)
• ADF – Amiga
  Amiga
  The Amiga is a family of personal computers that was sold by Commodore in the 1980s and 1990s. The first model was launched in 1985 as a high-end home computer and became popular for its graphical, audio and multi-tasking abilities...
  
   (.adf) (for 880K diskette images)
• ADZ – GZip
  Gzip
  Gzip is any of several software applications used for file compression and decompression. The term usually refers to the GNU Project's implementation, "gzip" standing for GNU zip. It is based on the DEFLATE algorithm, which is a combination of Lempel-Ziv and Huffman coding...
  
  -compressed version of the above.
• DMS – Disk Masher System, previously used as a disk-archiving system native to the Amiga, also supported by emulators.

Microsoft Virtual PC

Microsoft Virtual PC

Windows Virtual PC is a virtualization program for Microsoft Windows. In July 2006 Microsoft released the Windows-hosted version as a free product...

, Virtual Server

Microsoft Virtual Server

Microsoft Virtual Server is a virtualization solution that facilitates the creation of virtual machines on the Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows Server 2003 operating systems. Originally developed by Connectix, it was acquired by Microsoft prior to release...

 

• VFD – Virtual Floppy Disk (.vfd)
• VHD – Virtual Hard Disk (.vhd)
• VUD – Virtual Undo Disk (.vud)
• VMC – Virtual Machine Configuration (.vmc)
• VSV – Virtual Machine Saved State (.vsv)

EMC VMware

VMware

VMware, Inc. is a company providing virtualization software founded in 1998 and based in Palo Alto, California, USA. The company was acquired by EMC Corporation in 2004, and operates as a separate software subsidiary ....

 ESX, GSX, Workstation

VMware Workstation

VMware Workstation is a virtual machine software suite for x86 and x86-64 computers from VMware, a division of EMC Corporation, which allows users to set up multiple x86 and x86-64 virtual machines and use one or more of these virtual machines simultaneously with the hosting operating system...

, Player

VMware Player

VMware Player is a freeware virtualization software package from VMware, Inc. . VMware Player can run virtual appliances. VMware Player can also create virtual machines since version 3.0...

 

• LOG – Virtual Machine Logfile (.log)
• VMDK
  VMDK
  The VMDK file format is a type of virtual appliance developed for VMware products. The format is open/documented.-Products that use the format:* VMware Workstation* VMware Player* VMware Server* VMware Fusion...
  
  , DSK – Virtual Machine Disk (.vmdk, .dsk)
• NVRAM – Virtual Machine BIOS (.nvram)
• VMEM – Virtual Machine paging file (.vmem)
• VMSD – Virtual Machine snapshot metadata (.vmsd)
• VMSN – Virtual Machine snapshot (.vmsn)
• VMSS,STD – Virtual Machine suspended state (.vmss, .std)
• VMTM – Virtual Machine team data (.vmtm)
• VMX,CFG – Virtual Machine configuration (.vmx, .cfg)
• VMXF – Virtual Machine team configuration (.vmxf)

Virtualbox

Virtual drive format used by Sun Microsystems xVM VirtualBox, an open-source desktop virtualization program; can be mounted as a hard disk on Mac, Windows, and Unix platforms; allows users to run programs written for different operating systems in a high-speed virtual environment.

• VDI – VirtualBox Virtual Disk Image (.vdi)

Parallels Workstation

• HDD – Virtual Machine hard disk (.hdd)
• PVS – Virtual Machine preferences/configuration (.pvs)
• SAV – Virtual Machine saved state (.sav)

Webpage

• Static
  Static code analysis
  Static program analysis is the analysis of computer software that is performed without actually executing programs built from that software In most cases the analysis is performed on some version of the source code and in the other cases some form of the object code...
  
  
  • dtd
    Document Type Definition
    Document Type Definition is a set of markup declarations that define a document type for SGML-family markup languages...
    
    , Document Type Definition (standard), MUST be public and free
  • RNA – (.rna) – lime Network Real Native Application File
  • XML
    XML
    Extensible Markup Language is a set of rules for encoding documents in machine-readable form. It is defined in the XML 1.0 Specification produced by the W3C, and several other related specifications, all gratis open standards....
    
     – (.xml) – eXtensible Markup Language
  • HTML
    HTML
    HyperText Markup Language is the predominant markup language for web pages. HTML elements are the basic building-blocks of webpages....
    
     – (.html, .htm) – HyperText Markup Language
  • XHTML
    XHTML
    XHTML is a family of XML markup languages that mirror or extend versions of the widely-used Hypertext Markup Language , the language in which web pages are written....
    
     – (.xhtml, .xht) – eXtensible HyperText Markup Language
  • MHTML
    MHTML
    MHTML, short for MIME HTML, is a web page archive format used to combine resources that are typically represented by external links together with HTML code into a single file. The content of an MHTML file is encoded as if it were an HTML e-mail message, using the MIME type multipart/related...
    
     – (.mht, .mhtml) – Archived HTML, store all data on one web page (text, images, etc.) in one big file
  • MAF
    Mozilla Archive Format
    The Mozilla Archive Format is a web page archiving format provided by Firefox for saving one or more web pages together with its associated audio, video, and other related web resources in a single file. It is not the same as the MHTML file format, which uses MIME encoding to store all the...
    
     — (.maff) — web archive based on ZIP
    ZIP (file format)
    Zip is a file format used for data compression and archiving. A zip file contains one or more files that have been compressed, to reduce file size, or stored as is...
    
    
• Dynamically generated
  • ASP
    Active Server Pages
    Active Server Pages , also known as Classic ASP or ASP Classic, was Microsoft's first server-side script engine for dynamically-generated Web pages. Initially released as an add-on to Internet Information Services via the Windows NT 4.0 Option Pack Active Server Pages (ASP), also known as Classic...
    
     – (.asp) – Microsoft Active Server Page
  • ASPX
    ASP.NET
    ASP.NET is a Web application framework developed and marketed by Microsoft to allow programmers to build dynamic Web sites, Web applications and Web services. It was first released in January 2002 with version 1.0 of the .NET Framework, and is the successor to Microsoft's Active Server Pages ...
    
     – (.aspx) – Microsoft Active Server Page. NET
  • ADP
    AOLserver
    AOLserver is America Online's open source web server. AOLserver ismultithreaded, Tcl-enabled, and used for large scale, dynamic web sites.AOLserver is distributed under the Mozilla Public License....
    
     – AOLserver Dynamic Page
  • BML – (.bml) – Better Markup Language (templating)
  • CFM
    ColdFusion
    In computing, ColdFusion is the name of a commercial rapid application development platform invented by Jeremy and JJ Allaire in 1995. ColdFusion was originally designed to make it easier to connect simple HTML pages to a database, by version 2 it had...
    
     – (.cfm) – ColdFusion
  • CGI
    Common Gateway Interface
    The Common Gateway Interface is a standard method for web servers software to delegate the generation of web pages to executable files...
    
     – (.cgi)
  • iHTML – (.ihtml) – Inline HTML
  • JSP
    JavaServer Pages
    JavaServer Pages is a Java technology that helps software developers serve dynamically generated web pages based on HTML, XML, or other document types...
    
     – (.jsp) JavaServer Pages
  • Lasso – (.las, .lasso, .lassoapp)
  • PL – Perl
    Perl
    Perl is a high-level, general-purpose, interpreted, dynamic programming language. Perl was originally developed by Larry Wall in 1987 as a general-purpose Unix scripting language to make report processing easier. Since then, it has undergone many changes and revisions and become widely popular...
    
     (.pl)
  • PHP
    PHP
    PHP is a general-purpose server-side scripting language originally designed for web development to produce dynamic web pages. For this purpose, PHP code is embedded into the HTML source document and interpreted by a web server with a PHP processor module, which generates the web page document...
    
     – (.php, .php?, .phtml) – ? is version number (previously abbreviated Personal Home Page, later changed to PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor)
  • SSI
    Server Side Includes
    Server Side Includes is a simple interpreted server-side scripting language used almost exclusively for the Web.The most frequent use of SSI is to include the contents of one or more files into a web page on a web server...
    
     – (.shtml) – HTML with Server Side Includes (Apache)
  • SSI
    Server Side Includes
    Server Side Includes is a simple interpreted server-side scripting language used almost exclusively for the Web.The most frequent use of SSI is to include the contents of one or more files into a web page on a web server...
    
     – (.stm) – HTML with Server Side Includes (Apache)

XML, markup language, other web standards-based file formats

• Atom
  Atom (standard)
  The name Atom applies to a pair of related standards. The Atom Syndication Format is an XML language used for web feeds, while the Atom Publishing Protocol is a simple HTTP-based protocol for creating and updating web resources.Web feeds allow software programs to check for updates published on a...
  
   – (.atom, .xml) – Another syndication file format
• EML – (.eml) – File format used by several desktop email clients
• Metalink
  Metalink
  Metalink is a cross-platform and cross-application Internet standard/framework/file format for programs that download, including download managers, BitTorrent clients, Web browsers, FTP clients, and P2P programs...
  
   – (.metalink, .met) – A file format for listing metadata about downloads, such as mirrors, checksums, and other information.
• RSS
  RSS (file format)
  RSS is a family of web feed formats used to publish frequently updated works—such as blog entries, news headlines, audio, and video—in a standardized format...
  
   – (.rss, .xml) – Syndication file format

Other

• AXD – cookie extensions found in temporary internet folder
• AXX – encrypted file, created with Axcrypt
• BAK
  BAK File
  In computing, ".bak" is a filename extension commonly used to signify a backup copy of a file.When a program is about to overwrite an existing file , the program may first make a copy of the existing file, with .bak appended to the filename...
  
   – backup file
• BDF – Binary Data Format – raw data from recovered blocks of unallocated space on a hard drive
• CBP – CD Box Labeler Pro, CentraBuilder, Code::Blocks Project File, Conlab Project
• CREDX – CredX Dat File
• DUPX – DuupeCheck database management tool project file
• GA3 – Graphical Analysis 3
• GED
  GEDCOM
  GEDCOM, an acronym for GEnealogical Data COMmunication, is a proprietary and open de facto specification for exchanging genealogical data between different genealogy software...
  
   – GEDCOM, (GEnealogical Data COMmunication) file format for exchanging genealogical
  Genealogy
  Genealogy is the study of families and the tracing of their lineages and history. Genealogists use oral traditions, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kinship and pedigrees of its members...
  
   data
  Data
  The term data refers to qualitative or quantitative attributes of a variable or set of variables. Data are typically the results of measurements and can be the basis of graphs, images, or observations of a set of variables. Data are often viewed as the lowest level of abstraction from which...
  
   between different genealogy software
  Genealogy software
  Genealogy software is computer software used to record, organize, and publish genealogical data. At a minimum, genealogy software collects the date and place of an individual's birth, marriage, and death, and stores the relationships of individuals to their parents, spouses, and children...
  
  .
• HLP – Windows help file
• IGC – flight tracks downloaded from GPS devices in the FAI's
  Fédération Aéronautique Internationale
  The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale is the world governing body for air sports and aeronautics and astronautics world records. Its head office is in Lausanne, Switzerland. This includes man-carrying aerospace vehicles from balloons to spacecraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles...
  
   prescribed format
• INI file – used by many applications to store configuration
• INF – similar file format to INI; used to install device drivers under Windows, inter alia.
• KMC – tests made with KatzReview's MegaCrammer
• LNK – Binary format file, stores shortcuts under MS Windows 95 and later
• LSM – LSMaker script file (program using layered .jpg to create special effects; specifically designed to render lightsaber
  Lightsaber
  A lightsaber is a fictional weapon in the Star Wars universe, a "laser sword." It consists of a polished metal hilt which projects a blade of light about 1.33 metres long. The lightsaber is the signature weapon of the Jedi order and their Sith counterparts, both of whom can use them for close...
  
  s from the Star Wars
  Star Wars
  Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
  
   universe) (.lsm)
• PIF – Used for running MS-DOS programs under Windows
• POR – So called "portable" SPSS files, readable by PSPP
  PSPP
  PSPP is a free software application for analysis of sampled data. It has a graphical user interface and conventional command line interface. It is written in C, uses GNU Scientific Library for its mathematical routines, and plotutils for generating graphs....
  
  
• PXZ – Compressed file to exchange media elements with PSALMO
• RISE – File containing RISE generated information model evolution
• TOPC – TopicCrunch SEO Project file holding keywords, domain and search engine settings (ASCII);
• TOS – Character file from The Only Sheet
  The Only Sheet
  The Only Sheet Plus is a character creation and maintenance role-playing game tool for players of the Dungeons & Dragons v3.5 system, and Pathfinder RPG system. The implementation is done using the System Reference Document...
  
  
• TMP – Temporary file
• URL – INI format file, used by Internet Explorer to save Favorites
• XLF
  XLF (file format)
  The Extensible LADAR Format file format was developed at the Utah State University Center for Advanced Imaging LADAR for use with large LADAR point clouds....
  
   – Extensible LADAR Format
• ZED – My Heritage Family Tree

Financial records

• TAX – TurboTax
  TurboTax
  TurboTax is an American tax preparation software package developed by Michael A. Chipman of Chipsoft in the mid-1980s. TurboTax became an Intuit product as a result of the 1993 acquisition of its creator, San Diego-based Chipsoft. Chipsoft, now known as Intuit Consumer Tax Group, is still based in...
  
   File
• YNAB – You Need a Budget (YNAB)
  You Need a Budget (YNAB)
  You Need a Budget is a multi-platform personal budgeting program available via digital download or traditional CD-ROM. YNAB 3 is designed for OSX, Linux, and Windows, running on Adobe AIR...
  
   File
• MYO – MYOB Limited (Windows) File
• MYOB – MYOB Limited (Mac) File
• Nominal – Nominal Accounting
  Nominal Accounting
  Nominal Small Business Accounting software is a new software product released to Australian Market.It is one of a number of products to support the new government Standard Business Reporting initiative.Nominal Accounting has the following features:...
  
   (CDF) Company Data File

See also

• Alphabetical list of file extensions
• MIME Content-Type, a standard for referring to file formats
• List of motion and gesture file formats
• List of file signatures, or "magic numbers"