File

1. A file is an object on a computer that stores data, information, settings, or commands that are used with a computer program. In a graphical user interface (GUI) such as Microsoft Windows, files are shown as unique icons that relate to the program that opens the file. For example, in the picture to the right, is an example of the icon associated with Adobe Acrobat PDF files. Double-clicking this icon in Windows would open that file in Adobe Acrobat or the PDF reader installed on the computer.

There are millions of files used with computers today and are identified either by the file extension of the file or the data contained in the file. For example, the file msntb.dll is a DLL file used on a Microsoft Windows computer and an example of a computer file.

• Listing of file extensions and their associated programs.

Notice: With most operating systems, the below characters are considered illegal and cannot be used. Trying to create a file with these characters in the filename would generate an error or make the file inaccessible.

\ / : * ? " < > |

• Viewing the contents of a file.
• How do I change the name of a file or folder?
• How do I create a computer file?
• Use the Computer Hope process tool to identify many system files.
• How to create a file in MS-DOS.

2. Linux command, see the file command page for additional information about this command.