The file extension is an invaluable resource for our computers (and more and more devices such as phones or televisions) know how to work with the files that we include in them and execute and reproduce them correctly.
For this to happen, we must classify and create them. with it, the way to differentiate from each other . This is precisely what we get with the extensions, which basically give us information about the element they name.
With the following post you will discover exactly what a file or file extension is, what it is for, how it is used , what types exist, how to open them with the most used programs and, of course , how to know what is the extension of each of our files.
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What is the extension of a file or file and what is it really for ?
We will begin by saying that the extension of any file is the set of letters or letters and numbers that we find, with a period, behind the name that we put. For example, we pass a photo to the computer, retouch it and save it as a «giraffe».
Depending on the program used, you will see that when you go to check your file, it has something else behind the word «giraffe», for example, «giraffe .jpeg » or giraffe .psd «. Those endings, the ones that go after the name you choose, are the extensions. But, of course, it’s more than characters. This has a function and is to give us information .
Specifically, is given so that the operating system we have installed knows what type of file it is that we want to open (song, spreadsheet, animation, video, image …), that is, to distinguish the content that it includes. And what do you have to know? Very simple, to find the right software to run, run and show it to you. In short, to know what you can do with it.
However, as you can imagine, this information is also useful for the user who, knowing the characteristics of the extensions, will be able to know, more or less, the qualities that each of his files has . For example, if you see a track in .mp3 you will quickly know that it is compressed audio and, therefore, its quality is not that of study; if you see an image in .png you will know that it has no background, and so on with everything.
The extension, in most cases, refers to a format , which is why many users use both concepts as synonyms (in fact, we also do so in cases where the first refers, correctly, to the second). However, it is necessary to clarify that, although we all use them interchangeably, they are two different concepts .
The extension is , as we have seen, the nomenclature for the system. This refers, as we say, to a format with which it shares the name. However, this is not always the case, since it can also happen that the extension is that of a format container , which is nothing more than a resource that, as the name implies, contains different elements, which will, in fact, be saved in different formats if the option is given.
This helps us, in addition to knowing this, to know that, even if we change an extension, the file format is not going to be modified ; All we do is change the interpretation of the information, that is, the way we tell the system to work the file.
For this reason, if you have an audio track, modify its name, delete the “.mp3” and change it to “.jpeg”, it will not become an image , no It makes no sense. Thus, when your computer sees a “.jpeg”, it will use a program that works images by default (because it thinks it is an image and not a song) and you will see that, logically, there is a problem when it comes to open the file because, of course, an image program cannot open an audio, which is what it still is.
File types, their extensions and their associated programs
As you can imagine, computer files can be counted in hundreds . Therefore, it is usual to know them by classifying them according to the type of file they refer to. For example, a song, as we will see in the first place, can weigh 5 times more in a format than in another and its quality may be very different depending on the form given to it.
We will begin by indicating that those commented below are the most used, whether we know it or not, and therefore, the best known, although, there are hundreds and hundreds of different extensions that are not They know well because they have already fallen into disuse because they are very specific, for example, for a low-use operating system or for a single program, etc.
Audio file extensions
Audio files can be voice recordings that we make with the micro or webcam, clipped fragments of other audios, songs purchased on iTunes or recorded from a CD …
Obviously, will not be used in the same way and, therefore, their characteristics, to be an optimized resource, must be different . Thus, a podcast, for example, will have very little weight, as it is designed to be uploaded to a website, a studio song, on a CD, will have the highest quality, identical to the studio output, to enjoy the product, etc.
We show you what are the best known audio file extensions, we tell you about their characteristics and we also give you advice on the different softwares and devices with which they are played.
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Image file extensions
Images are a very versatile resource highly used in computer science. In addition, they are, perhaps, the as that most easily allow us to see the differences between one image file extension and another.
Knowing them we can know if it is a file designed to be printed, if it is rendered or is vector, the amount of colors it has, its approximate weight …
Let’s see what are the best known image files and use, what features they present and with what we can view and edit them.
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Compressed file extensions
These, designed to keep different files of the same element safe, move them easily and that, by the way, weigh less , are really known and used by most.
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Everyone complies with what has been said but it is necessary to know that, as in the other cases, each compressed file extension will tell us something more about the information it accompanies.
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Text file extensions
Obviously, one of the things we do most often on our computer (and on phones and tablets) is reading . We read books, we read instructions, we read pdfs, we read song lyrics on websites, we read blog entries …
Although the text could be, a priori, the resource that least changes accepts (or that we need less change, rather), the truth is that it also has a number of formats and, with it, different extensions. Thus, we can use it in the most convenient way in each situation. Find out what each type of text file offers you by reading the following table.
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System file extensions h3>
These may be the least significant for users because, in fact, they accompany files that, if we don’t have advanced computer skills, we shouldn’t touch. So much so that Windows, in fact, hides them by default so we don’t make a mistake and spoil the system.
However, as you can understand, these files are the most important that we can have in our team because, after all, they are the ones that make it work and keep its settings and other aspects.
Therefore, although we should not modify these files, it is absolutely necessary to know what they are precisely to avoid doing it and to always keep them safe.
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Video file extensions
Downloading a video in one format or another can make that we run out of data on the mobile or that, on the other hand, we still have a good amount of them to navigate freely. In addition to this, the format in which it is saved will allow these to be played on computers, DVD players, mp4 players, game consoles, being more or less accessible to each other.
Check out the following table to know the characteristics of each of the video extensions.
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Internet file extensions
Are those that refer to all the information that is related, in turn, to both servers and websites . Thus, we talk about static and dynamic pages or files referenced and generated by web development software.
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How can I know what extension a file has?
Let’s see several methods for you to get this information.
Keep extensions visible
By default, extensions are hidden . However, it is highly recommended to enable viewing when we see the name of the files.
This is mainly due to the fact that, if not, we have no idea what kind of files we are letting sleep on our devices. You may be thinking of downloading a pdf and when you want to realize you have been sneaked into a malware that you have executed yourself when trying to open the file.
In addition, as we have mentioned before, seeing the file extension helps us to know some of the characteristics of these, which we have already seen in the previous point. So, if it doesn’t involve anything negative and it does bring benefits… why wouldn’t we want to see this nomenglature?
- Enter any folder.
- Click on the “ File ” menu in the upper area.
- The configuration window of the options available to the folder will open. Choose the “ View ” tab in the upper area.
- You will see a box with a number of marked and unchecked options. Go to « Hide file extensions for unknown file types «. Remove the tick.
- Finish by clicking on « Accept «, which is how you will save the changes, which become effective immediately, without having to restart.
Now click on « Change folder and search options «.
In side panel
What we will do is modify the view we have of the folders, choosing one in which, when selecting a file, your information is available in an exclusive area on the right.
- Open the folder in which the file you want to know the extension is located (it must be in a folder, yes).
- Press , above, in « View «.
- Now, on the right, on « Details panel «.
- Press About the file. You will see that you now have a panel on the right , in the folder area, where you are offered information of this, including what we are looking for.
In detail view
Similar to the above we have the detail view of the files.
This is achieved as follows:
- Open the folder where the file is.
- Click on “ View “.
- Now do the same in « Details «.
- You will see that the way to view the files now includes, in columns, diverse information and that a of them corresponds to the file type and, with it, with its logical extension.
Check file properties h3>
Another option, if you decide that the extension is not visible by default is to consult the information of the file that interests you.
This is achieved simply: