A Brief Overview of Computer File Extensions

File extensions are a very important part of the file names on all computer systems. We are all aware of many different kinds of file extensions on our computers. Some of the file extensions that you may have come across in your time are PDF files, DOC files for documents, JPG files for photos and RAR files for high compression files.

Of course, we are most acutely aware of computer file extensions when we encounter one that we can not open. File extensions largely go by unnoticed until we come to a file that we need to open but can't open with our present computer system, which makes us more acutely aware of file extensions than ever before.

When a file is saved the computer puts a short file suffix at the end of the file name in order to designate what format the file has been saved in. These file extensions are generally three letters but can be four as in the case of PART files and are added to the file name after a period. From the file extension your computer automatically knows how the file is encoded and therefore which program it should employ to open the file in question.

Now and then in our email we might receive an attachment that our computer system for some reason can not open. If this happens to you it is because your computer does not have the proper software needed to open this particular file extension. This can certainly be true of certain types of compressed files like ZIP and file extension rar that are actually designed to archive a number of other document files.

Anyone in the business world will know that in business today it is vital to have a computer system that can open all of the various important file extensions, from spreadsheets to archival document files to power point presentations. When your PC is out of date and unable to open the most recent file extensions you actually run the risk of missing an important report or spreadsheet. This is why it is so important that your software should be updated regularly so that you will be able to open all of the latest file extensions.

If you are having trouble opening files with the RAR file extension or with the PART file extension then you will be happy to know that you are simple and quick download away from updating your PC to be able to open those files with ease. With a simple online search one will be able to find software that will update their system and allow them to open just about any type of file they may have a need to open.