File types refer to classifying the content of the file, such as a program, text file, executable program or data file. In Windows operating systems, the file type is derived from the filename extension. Typical file types and their extensions are:

 

File Extension

File Type

.bas

basic source program

.cpp

C++ source program

.dll

system library

.doc

Word document

.exe

executable program

.txt

text file

 

Windows associates applications (programs) with specific file types. For example, the default application that opens to process a file of type .txt is the Notepad editor.

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