filename extension

The portion of a filename, following the

final point, which indicates the kind of data stored in the

file.

Many {operating systems} use filename extensions, e.g. {Unix},

{VMS}, {MS-DOS}. They are usually from one to three letters

(some sad old OSes support no more than three). Examples

include "c" for {C} {source code}, "ps" for {PostScript},

"txt" for arbitrary text.

Compare: {MIME type}.

{Tony Warr's comprehensive list

(http://camalott.com/~rebma/filex.html)}.

{FAQS.org Graphics formats

(http://www.faqs.org/faqs/graphics/fileformats-faq/)}.

(2000-08-02)