Common File Types
The file types stores various raw information in a structured format for easy storage, processing, and utilization of data. File type is the standard way to store data in computer files. There are multiple types of file types available for effectively storing and retrieving data. We will discuss the unique features and usage cases of different types of file types and compare them.
| File Suffix | File Type | Content-Type | Associated Programs | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| .html | HTML documents | text/html | web browsers | for web pages |
| .css | Cascading Style Sheet files | text/css | text editors, web browsers | for style sheets |
| .js | JavaScript files | application/javascript | text editors, web browsers | for web page interaction |
| .jpg | JPEG images | image/jpeg | image viewers, image editing software | for storing and transferring images |
| .png | PNG images | image/png | image viewer, image editing software | for storing and transferring images, supports transparency |
| .gif | GIF images | image/gif | image viewer, image editing software | for storing dynamic images |
| PDF documents | application/pdf | PDF viewers, PDF editing software | for document sharing, maintain format consistency | |
| .doc | Word documents | application/msword | Microsoft Word | document processing |
| .docx | Word documents | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document | Microsoft Word | Modern Word document formats |
| .xls | Excel Spreadsheets | application/vnd.ms-excel | Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet processing |
| .xlsx | Excel Spreadsheets | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet | Microsoft Excel | Modern Excel Spreadsheet Formats |
| .ppt | PowerPoint Presentation | application/vnd.ms-powerpoint | Microsoft PowerPoint | Presentation Maker |
| .pptx | PowerPoint Presentation | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.presentationml.presentation | Microsoft PowerPoint | Modern PowerPoint Presentation Formats |
| .mp3 | MP3 Audio Files | audio/mpeg | Music Players | for storing and playing audio |
| .mp3 | MP3 audio files | audio/mpeg | music players | for storing and playing audio |
| .zip | compressed files | application/zip | compression software | for packing and compressing files |
| .rar | RAR compressed files | application/x-rar-compressed | Compression software | For packing and compressing files with higher compression rates than ZIP |
| .json | JSON files | application/json | text editors, web browsers | for data exchange and configuration |
| .xml | XML files | application/xml | text editors, web browsers | for data exchange and configuration, more readable |
| .sql | SQL script files | text/x-sql | text editors, database management tools | for storing database query statements |
| .csv | CSV files | text/csv | text editor, spreadsheet software | for spreadsheet data in simple text format |
| .webp | WebP images | image/webp | image viewer, image editing software | for efficient image storage with support for transparency and animation features |
| .webm | WebM video files | video/webm | video players, web browsers | for efficient video storage, Web video playback |
| .avif | AVIF images | image/avif | image viewers, image editing software | the next generation of efficient image formats |
| .m4a | M4A audio files | audio/mp4 | Music Player | For storing audio, AAC encoding |
| .wav | WAV Audio files | audio/wav | Music Players | Uncompressed audio format, high quality audio files |
| .raw | RAW image files | application/octet-stream | image editing software | unprocessed image data for professional image editing |
