Fájlkiterjesztések

Fájlkiterjesztések, often referred to as file extensions, are suffixes added to the end of a filename. These extensions typically consist of a period followed by a few letters, and they serve to identify the type of data contained within the file. For example, a file named "document.txt" has the extension ".txt", indicating it is a plain text file. Similarly, "image.jpg" signifies a JPEG image file, and "report.pdf" denotes a Portable Document Format file.

Operating systems and applications use file extensions to determine which program should be used to open and process a particular file. When a user double-clicks on a file, the operating system consults its registry or settings to find the default program associated with that specific extension. This allows for seamless interaction with various file types, ensuring that documents are opened in word processors, images in photo viewers, and videos in media players.

While file extensions are crucial for proper file handling, they are not always mandatory and can sometimes be changed. However, altering a file extension without changing the underlying file format can lead to issues, such as the file becoming unreadable or causing errors when attempting to open it. Certain operating systems, like macOS and newer versions of Windows, may hide file extensions by default to maintain a cleaner user interface, but they can be enabled in the system's view settings. Understanding file extensions is fundamental to navigating and managing digital files effectively.