Filenames and filetypes are naming conventions used to identify
files on computers.
The filename is used to identify the file for you, so that when you come back and look for it, perhaps far in the future you will remember what it means to you and that you can find it.
The filename is used to identify the file for you, so that when you come back and look for it, perhaps far in the future you will remember what it means to you and that you can find it.
The filetype is used to identify and group files of similar type. As an example, all text files are identified by the filetype 'txt.'
If you've worked on a PC with DOS, which was the predominant PC Operating System (OS) before Windows, then you've used the 8.3 naming system.
The 8.3 file naming system used in DOS
The '8' refers to the maximum number of characters in the filename. Having only eight characters, often requires a lot of creativity in coming up with filename that accurately describes the file.
The '3' refers to the maximum number of characters in the filetype.
For example the file autoexec.bat has a filename of 'autoexec' and filetype of 'bat.'
Windows 95 extended the maximum length of Filenames
The maximum filename length was increased to 255 characters. All characters are allowed except for (\ / : * ? " < > | ).
This allows you to be very specific in naming your file. If you create a lot of files this flexibility in naming becomes very important.
Most filetypes are still just three characters. However, Windows can operate on longer filetypes.
Programs associated with filetypes
An additional feature in Windows associates each filetype with a
specific application or program.
For example the 'xls' filetype is associated with the Excel application. If you double click a file with a .xls filetype, Windows opens the Excel program with the selected file loaded and ready for you to work with.
Sometimes you may want to open a file with a program other than the one Windows has assigned it to. This can be done, but we'll save this discussion for another tip.