File type

File Type

Filename extension	Various
Internet media type
Uniform Type Identifier (UTI)
Magic number
Developed by
Initial release
Latest release
Type of format
Container for
Contained by

Documentation[create] [purge]

Overview

A file type is a standard way that information is encoded for storage in a computer file. It specifies how bits are used to encode information in a digital storage medium. File types are crucial for the organization, storage, and retrieval of data in computer systems.

File Extensions

File types are often identified by their file extensions, which are suffixes at the end of a file name, typically consisting of three or four characters. For example, a file named "document.txt" has the file extension ".txt", indicating it is a text file.

Common File Extensions

• .txt - Text file
• .jpg - JPEG image
• .png - Portable Network Graphics image
• .docx - Microsoft Word document
• .pdf - Portable Document Format
• .mp3 - MPEG-1 Audio Layer III
• .mp4 - MPEG-4 Part 14

Categories of File Types

File types can be broadly categorized based on their content and usage:

Text Files

Text files contain human-readable text and are often used for documentation, source code, and configuration files. Common text file formats include ASCII and UTF-8.

Image Files

Image files store graphical data and can be in formats such as JPEG, PNG, GIF, and BMP. These formats differ in compression methods and quality.

Audio Files

Audio files store sound data and can be in formats like MP3, WAV, and AAC. These formats vary in compression and quality.

Video Files

Video files contain moving images and sound, stored in formats such as MP4, AVI, and MKV.

Executable Files

Executable files contain programs that can be run by a computer. Common executable file formats include EXE and BIN.

Compressed Files

Compressed files reduce the size of data for storage efficiency. Formats include ZIP, RAR, and GZIP.

File Format Specifications

Each file type has a specific format specification that defines how data is structured within the file. These specifications are crucial for software to correctly read and write data.

Open vs Proprietary Formats

File formats can be open, meaning they are publicly documented and free to use, or proprietary, meaning they are owned by a company and may require licensing.

File Type Identification

File types can be identified by their extensions, but this is not always reliable. Some systems use magic numbers or MIME types to determine file types more accurately.

Importance of File Types

Understanding file types is essential for data management, software development, and digital forensics. It ensures compatibility and proper handling of files across different systems and applications.

See Also

• File system
• Data compression
• File format
• MIME type