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Gold Medal Software 3
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Gold Medal Software - Volume 3 (Gold Medal) (1994).iso
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tutor
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pcl61a.arj
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PART2.EXE
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EXTEN.TUT
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1993-08-16
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INDEX OF FILE EXTENSIONS
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In a previous DOS tutorial we discussed the topic of file
extensions or file endings. One concept novices find helpful is
an index explaining some of the more common file extensions. But
first, let's review...
As an example, let's pretend you have just put an unknown
diskette in your floppy drive and typed the DIR command to
display the disk contents. Here is what you might see:
DELXTRA BAT 128 5-03-86 6:55p
MSG1 TXT 384 5-03-86 7:10p
PAY BAT 16 9-02-85 12:11p
PCPAY DOC 64512 5-04-86 7:11a
PCPR EXE 21457 5-03-86 3:29p
PRNTDOC BAT 128 5-03-86 7:09p
README BAT 2128 5-03-86 12:46
README 6326 5-03-86 12:46p
GO BAT 668 7-03-86 8:39a
FILES565 TXT 1728 7-03-86 8:37a
Let's select a file and explain how the DOS file extension
works. From the above listing, let's select at random the third
entry whose file listing is dissected below. Note carefully the
file extension reference.
Date of File creation
|
|
PAY BAT 16 9-02-85 12:11p --- Time of file creation
| | |
| | File size in bytes
| |
| |
PAY.BAT ----- PAY.BAT is the FULL filename including extension
| |
| |
| This is the file extension: BAT
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|
This is the filename: PAY
Again, PAY.BAT is the full DOS filename you might use when
typing a DOS command such as COPY A:PAY.BAT B:
The above command, by the way, means copy the file PAY.BAT from
the A: drive to the B: drive.
Note that the file extension is BAT. This is very important for
consideration within the following index.
An experienced user who understands the value of the file
extension would immediately guess that the file extension BAT
means that this file is a batch file which can be run to execute
a program. With that in mind, presented below is an alphabetized
listing of the more commonly seen DOS file extensions...
. A file which has no extension is probably an ASCII text
file containing instructions or documentation. Use
the DOS TYPE command or simply load the file into your
word processor to view or print.
.$$$ A temporary file. Usually these type of files are erased
later during program execution.
.1ST Frequently this is associated with files such as
README.1ST which means "readme first" and is a
instruction/documentation file. Use the DOS type
command (e.g., TYPE README.1ST) or you could load
the file into your word processor to read.
.AFM Adobe postscript file
.ALL Wordperfect printer and font control file.
.ANS ANSI graphics file.
.ARC Compressed archive file. Can be uncompressed with any
of several unarchiving utilities such as PKUNPAK.EXE.
.ARJ Compress archive file produced by the ARJ.EXE program.
You will need ARJ to unpack this.
.ART. First Publisher graphics file.
.ASC Usually this is an ASCII file which contains
instructions which can be viewed and read.
.ASM Assembly language source code. Usually ASCII text which
can be viewed.
.BAK Backup file. Copy of an early file version.
.BAS A program written in Basic. Use the QBasic or GWBasic
interpreter which comes with DOS to run this program.
.BAT Batch file program which can be run just by typing the
filename and pressing enter/return key. Do not type the
file extension.
.BIT Lotus Manuscript graphics file.
.BLD A Basic file. Loads with BLOAD utility.
.BMP Wallpaper background graphics file for Windows.
.C Source code for program written in C programming
language.
.CDR Corel Draw graphics file.
.CFG Configuration file for a software program. Sometimes the
program uses this to run. Contains settings which can
be modified.
.CGM Computer graphics metafile.
.COB COBOL language source code file.
.COM Command file which can be run or executed. Just type
the filename to start the program. Don't type the file
extension.
.CPI Code page info file for foreign character symbols.
.CPL Windows control panel file.
.CRF Cross Reference File.
.CUT Dr. Halo graphics file.
.DAT Any file containing data. Might also be a configuration
file.
.DBF Database file containing data. Used by many popular
database programs.
.DCT Dictionary file. Possibly associated with a word
processing program.
.DEV Device driver.
.DHP Dr. Halo graphics file.
.DIC Dictionary file.
.DIF Data Interchange Format file. ASCII text files which can
be used by spreadsheets and some database programs.
.DLL Windows dynamic link library file.
.DOC Documentation or text file containing instructions.
Use the DOS type command or simply load into your
word processor to read.
.DRV Device Driver file which links to installed hardware
such as a mouse or external CR ROM item.
.DRW Corel Draw graphics file.
.DWG Autocad graphics file.
.DXF Autocad graphics file.
.EPS Encapsulated Postscript file.
.EXE An executable file which can be run. Type the filename
without the file extension to run the program then press
the enter/return key.
.FNT Font file for text/characters.
.FON Font file for text/characters.
.FOR Fortran language source code file.
.FOT Windows file for TrueType outline typeface.
.FOX Foxbase database file.
.FRM A form.
.GDI GEM metafile.
.GIF Contains a graphics file or picture. Graphics
Interchange Format. Use a graphics viewer to display the
picture.
.GRP Windows Group data file.
.GXI Show Partner Graphics File.
.HLP Help file. Sometimes this can be viewed as with any
ASCII text file.
.HNT Hint file, usually for a game.
.HPF Hewlett Packard Bitstream soft font file.
.HPG Hewlett Packard graphics language file.
.HST History file (usually ASCII text) showing development
history of a program.
.ICO Icon graphics file used by Windows.
.IDX Foxbase database index file.
.IFF Deluxe Paint II graphics file.
.IMG GEM paint graphics file.
.INF Information or text file which can be read.
.INI Initialization file. Used with Windows and some other
programs.
.KEY Keyboard macro definition file.
.LBM IFF file used by Deluxe Paint.
.LIB Library file used by a programming language.
.LST A list file, usually in ASCII text.
.LTR A letter, usually ASCII text.
.LZH Compressed archive file. Need LHA program to uncompress.
.MAC MacPaint graphics file or a macro file of keyboard
definitions and stored keystrokes.
.MAN A Manual or file in ASCII containing the instructions
for a program.
.ME Usually the end of a READ.ME file. ASCII text which
can be viewed for instructions.
.MID MIDI audio file.
.MNU Menu or mouse control file.
.MOD Data interchange file used by Windows and DOS.
.MSP Windows graphics file.
.NAM PrintShop name file.
.NDX Database index file.
.NG Database file for Norton Guide.
.NTX Database index file.
.OBJ Object code file used by programming language.
.OLD Backup or temporary file.
.OVL Overlay program used by a larger software package.
.OVR Overlay file.
.PAK Compressed archive file. Use PAK.EXE program to unpack.
.PAS Pascal language programming source code file.
.PCC Z-Soft graphics file. Sometimes can be renamed a .PCX
file and used with other graphics soft ware. Contains an
image.
.PCX PC Paintbrush graphics file. Contains an image.
.PDF Printer definition file.
.POG New Print Shop graphics file.
.PNM Print Shop name file.
.PRG A program source code file.
.PRN A text file that can be printed or viewed. Contains
instructions or viewable data.
.PRS WordPerfect printer definition file.
.PRT Text or documentation file which can be printed or
viewed.
.PSO PostScript PDL printer bitstream font file.
.SAV Backup file or previous data.
.SCR Script file used my a modem or telecommunications
program.
.SCX Graphics file for RIX or EGA program.
.SDR Printmaster name file.
.SHP Printmaster graphics file.
.STY Style file for WordPerfect.
.SYS A device driver. Usually this file is added to
the CONFIG.SYS file in the root directory of the
hard drive.
.TGA Targa graphics file.
.TIF Tagged image format file used by Aldus Pagemaker.
.TMP Temporary or backup file.
.TTF Windows file for TrueType fonts.
.TUT Tutorial file.
.TXT Text file, usually ASCII. Directions or documentation
for a program. View using the DOS TYPE command or
simply load into your word processor to view or print.
.VOC Soundblaster sound file.
.WAV Windows sound file.
.WK1 Lotus spreadsheet file for version 2.0
.WKE Lotus educational worksheet file.
.WKQ Quattro spreadsheet file.
.WKS Lotus spreadsheet file for version 1A.
.WMF Windows metafile graphics file.
.WPG WordPerfect graphics file.
.WPM WordPerfect macro file.
.WPK Wordperfect macro file for keyboard definition.
.WRI Text file for Windows Write.
.WRK Symphony spreadsheet file.
.XLS Excel spreadsheet file.
.ZIP Compressed archive file. Use PKUNZIP.EXE to unpack.
.ZOO Compressed archive file. Use ZOO.EXE to unpack.
TIP: Now here is a pop quiz! Go back to the directory listing
at the beginning of this tutorial and see if you can determine
the characteristics of each file, given the known file
extensions discussed in this index!
Tutorial finished. Have you registered PC-Learn to receive your
bonus disks? Registration is encouraged. Shareware works on the
honor system! Send $25 to Seattle Scientific Photography,
Department PCL6, PO Box 1506, Mercer Island, WA 98040. Latest
version of PC-Learn and two bonus disks shipped promptly!