List of RISC OS filetypes explained

This is a sub-article to RISC OS. filetypes use metadata to distinguish file formats. Some common file formats from other systems are mapped to filetypes by the MimeMap module. Such mapping was previously handled by DosMap.

The MimeMap module maps filetypes to and from MIME content types, dotted filename extensions and Apple's Uniform Type Identifiers.

Requests for new filetype allocations for all versions are handled centrally by RISC OS Open.

RISC OS filetypes

Filetypes were originally classified by Acorn into distinct ranges:

Hexadecimal rangeDesignation Use
Start End
User
Non-commercial software
Commercial software
Acorn
Commercial software
Generic data

User

This range of filetypes was intended for personal use in closed systems, not for general distribution. Nevertheless, many programs using these types were distributed, especially as Public-domain software. Consequently there are many clashes.

0000FF! Hexadecimal
type! Name! Use! Connected party! Mapped equivalent
CrunchedCruncher compressed fileACE/Arc Angels
MusDumpVivaldi compressed music file
STrackerTracker music file
STrackerAmiga ProTracker/NoiseTracker music fileHugo Fiennes, The Serial Port
CastlesCastles game(?) file
PlayModMusic file
SampDumpVivaldi compressed sample
STrackerTracker tune
ArmSISpeed indicator results
AOutlineArcOutline filePaul Hobbs
AIMArchimedes Image Manager 256x256 monochrome bitimageWild Vision
ScotGameSaved game file
ScotSaveSaved game image
PathFileunknown
WildV12Wild Vision Hawk V12 512x512 monochrome bitimageWild Vision
LCryptedEncrypted file
GolfDemoGolf game file
Armony!Armony music file
IcnStormIconStorm sprite file
MatrixMatrix tracker music file
MegaBordunknown
CircuitPCB layout file
PotterySolids of Rotation 3D meshAcorn User magazine
AIMinfoArchimedes Image Manager file
MailabelLabel printer file
HelpTextHelp text file
AIM CfgArchimedes Image Manager configuration file
PlnPgunknown
PlanFunknown
compressCompressed file
PGPPretty Good Privacy encrypted file
WordSqWord square puzzle definitionMatthew Eglise
WordsrchWord search puzzle definition
Resourceunknown
Widget4256x256 monochrome bitimage
Widget5512x512 monochrome bitimage
SmpleDTPSimple DTP document
SprayPainting program spray brush
FracParsunknown
ColorMapBitimage palette file
3DPlanes3D mesh
FilerFiler settings
Z-Code1Infocom adventure gameInfocom
Z-Code2Infocom adventure game
Z-Code3Infocom adventure game
Z-Code4Infocom adventure game
C64Commodore C64 executable
Z-Code5Infocom adventure game
Z-Code6Infocom adventure game
Z-Code7Infocom adventure game
Z-Code8Infocom adventure game
BigMArtBigMArt15 file
BigMArt2BigMArt15 file
QuakePAKId Quake game archive file
Stickyunknown
FTPcFTPc user menu configuration file
TauFileTau documentTim Birks
TauStyleTau stylesheetTim Birks
PIC16C84PIC programmer fileMike Cook
PuzzlePuzzle game
IndexerIndexer file index
PPPTrackunknown
DiscBoxunknown
SplitFragment of larger fileAdam Hamilton
SoftListunknown
TaskBASBASIC in Taskwindow (replaced by AA5 TskBASIC)
BBCRunBBC application script
MegaBordunknown
PCRunPC application script
Card!Card2 file
HellFileunknown
CDTrackAudioFS2 CD music track
CDDataAudioFS2 CD data track
AddrListAddress and contact list
GameBoyNintendo Game Boy emulator game image
GBSnapNintendo Game Boy emulator snapshot
KeystripKeyboard layout
BackMenuBackMenu program configuration
SSSheet!SSS spreadsheetChris Stretch
SprColorSprite extended palette file
EPSIEncapsulated PostScript with device independent preview
HelpFileHelp text file
MPEGMPEG videoPaul LeBeau
RayMacroRay tracer macro
RayLibRay tracer library
Ray3dRay tracer scene
F-Shapesunknown
ProbaseProbase database file
Z88LinkCambridge Computer Z88 Link archive fileJohn Allen
PsionPsion Organiser II fileJohn Allen
F-Palunknown
UsedA file that has been used
FineArtFineArt drawing
Dissunknown
F-Paperunknown
Hexadecimal
type
NameUseConnected partyMapped equivalent

Non-commercial software

1003FF! Hexadecimal
type! Name! Use! Registrant or
connected party! Mapped equivalent
1stSheet1st Statistics package
BackDropDesktop background setup
CalcSprdCalc spreadsheet file
Phoneunknown
SpllDictSpelling dictionary
PerlPerl programming language script
UniModeScreen mode definitionMaurice Hendrix
OreDBaseOregan database file
DataVoxSysBeep sound file
Glazierunknown
SySampleDigital Symphony sound sample
SymphonyDigital Symphony song
KeyboardKeyboard layout
CLIconIconCLI fileOlly Bett
RLaBunknown
MSDOSPKArc archive fileDavid Pilling
MatLabScMatLab file
RSDOSunknown
MatLabFnMatLab function
Stasisunknown
FastSprSprite file
ProjManProject management file
MoleAnimModeller molecular animation
DemoMoleModeller molecular animation demonstration
AngbandAngband saved game file
Z-CodeInfocom game fileInfocom
TAPZ80Em compressed sound sampleWarm Silence Software
ANSITextText in ANSI (Windows) encoding
  • Genetic*
Genetic algorithm data
Creatorunknown
ALPSunknownAlpine Software
MOPACRasMol molecule definitionRoger Sayle, Martin Wuerthner
MOLRasMol molecule definitionRoger Sayle, Martin Wuerthner
Pifileunknown
  • Alchemy*
RasMol molecular coordinatesRoger Sayle, Martin Wuerthner
  • PDB*
RasMol protein databank coordinatesRoger Sayle, Martin Wuerthner
RasMolScRasMol scriptRoger Sayle, Martin Wuerthner
AntiGravunknown
MapprMapMapper_O 2D mapNicholas Kingsley
3DSceneTopModel 3D scene
JFPatchAssembler patch fileJustin Fletcher
Copier144unknown
PolyDataPolyhedron definitionFortran Friends
CabriCabriolet dynamic geometryMike Borcherds
SR2000unknown
PsiWordPsion Series 5/7 documentPsion
SquishedCompressed file
  • PsiSheet*
Psion Series 5/7 spreadsheetPsion
Playlistunknown
PsionPsion Series 5/7 general filePsion
PsiRecrdPsion Series 5/7 audioPsion
PsiOPLPsion Series 5/7 OPL (Organiser Programming Language) programPsion
PsiDataPsion Series 5/7 databasePsion
  • PsiAgnda*
Psion Series 5/7 Agenda appointments diaryPsion
Copier160unknown
Copier164unknown
C64-DiscCommodore C64 archive
OrgDataOrganizer appointment diary & contacts
Copier172unknown
Copier180unknown
MailTransArc mail file
FlashAdobe Flash animationAdobe Inc.
Encoded4Arc World Encoder output
Encode4Arc World Encoder input
TSACunknown
CSSCCSSC fileRaffaele Ferrigno
AddressAddress book fileAlex Hopkins
Projectunknown
AMPEGAudio MPEG stream
Protectorunknown
ImagenHTML image map
JSW_GameJet Set Willy game
JSW_DataJet Set Willy scenery file
HotKeysKey accelerator definition
Conjugezunknown
Objectsunknown
CryptEncrypted fileStephen Early
Tilesunknown
TDataTiger fileGraham Crow
OldSongunknown
CAIFSArcArchive file
CFCircunknown
GraphSrcunknown
Z80 COMZ80Tube executable file
SongMascom2 songThomas Olsson
TypefaceItalicer Typeface fileA.E.Hersee
DateMarkunknown
TimeStep ImProcess
RayShade RGB
Hexadecimal
type
NameUseRegistrant or
connected party
Mapped equivalent

Commercial software

4009FF, B00DFF! Hexadecimal
type! Name! Use! Registrant or
connected party! Mapped equivalent
CCIR 601Comité consultatif international pour la radio
Translator ClearJohn Kortink
Atari ST DEGAS,,
GIFGIF File
PC PaintbrushZSoft Corporation
RayShade RAWSteve Koren
RayShadeMark Terrence VandeWettering
TargaTruevision TGATruevision,
TimeStep satellite image
BBC Micro DFS disc imageBeebItMichael Foot
OvnProOvation Pro documentDavid Pilling
ExcelMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft
BBC ROMBBC ROM (ROMFS)Acornsoft
FirewrkzFireworkzColton Software
RecordzFireworkz Database FileColton Software
ResultzFireworkz Spreadsheet FileColton Software
PhotoCDEastman Kodak
WorkzFireworkz Word ProcessorColton Software
FwrkzTemFireworkz Template FileColton Software
FwrkzTemFireworkz Command FileColton Software
AWordAcorn Advance WordprocessorAcornsoft
ASheetAcorn Advance SpreadsheetAcornsoft
ADBaseAcorn Advance DatabaseAcornsoft
AGraphAcorn Advance GraphAcornsoft
RTFRich Text Format
CmprDrawCompressed Draw File4Mation
smArtsmArt File4Mation
NootBookNoot File4Mation
JPEGJPEGJoint Photographic Experts Group,
HPGLPlotHewlett-Packard graphics languageHewlett-Packard
IGESIGES graphics
PosterPoster File4Mation
OvationOvation DTP File
TeXTeX
PDCmdFilePipeDream Command FileColton Software
Lotus 1-2-3Lotus 1-2-3
DBaseIndexdBase index
DBaseIIdBase II
DBaseIIIdBase III
SuperCalcSuperCalc III
ArchiveZip (SparkFS/ArcFS)David Pilling/Mark Smith
PDreamPipeDreamColton Software
ProArtisanClares Micro Supplies
DXFDrawing Exchange Format
Watford digitiserWatford Electronics
CSVComma-separated values
Hexadecimal
type
NameUseRegistrant or
connected party
Mapped equivalent

Acorn reserved

A00AFF! Hexadecimal
type! Name! Use! Mapped equivalent
OrUpgrdOregano upgrade
PPDPostScript Printer Description
MonitorCerilica Monitor gamma correction curves
PlugInCerilica Vantage plug-in
LaTeXLaTeX document source
ISO-9660CD-Blaze CD image
New FontOutline font
PDFPortable Document Format
DirectorMacromedia Director animation
JavaJava executable
MSWordMicrosoft Word Document
ReplayAcorn Replay video
Generic Saved Game
AlarmAlarm settings
ARCWriter ArcWriter document
Music Maestro musical score
PostTrayAcorn Mailman Intray
PostBoxAcorn Mailman mail received
PostFileAcorn Mailman filed mail
PostDataAcorn Mailman setup
SimTraceAcorn ASim trace file
HelpInfo Help
1stWord+First Word Plus
DtpDocAcorn DTP document
DtpStyleAcorn DTP style sheet
GCODEAcorn GCODE intermediate file
GCALAcorn GCAL source file
Mouse Mouse event record
DrawFileDraw vector drawing
Hexadecimal
type
NameUseMapped equivalent

Generic data

E00FFF! Hexadecimal
type! Name! Use! Connected party! Mapped equivalent
DrummerThe Drummer drum pattern
DiscIndxDisc index
PCBFilePCB track layout file
TeleSoftunknown
ECFDataClares Pro-Artisan extended colour fill
RawSoundDSEdit audio
EdSProgEdScheme fileLambda Publications
TinyLogoTiny Logo program
TinyDrawTiny Logo drawing
WiniUtilBBC Micro Winchester UtilityAcorn
BasicIVBBC Master 128 BASIC
65HostAcorn BBC Micro Emulator fileAcorn
TeletextTeletext screen data
GZipGNU Zip archive
CodeAcorn ARM codeAcorn
DiscCDAcorn Access shared CDAcorn
DiscDPAcorn Access shared protected discAcorn
DiscDAcorn Access shared discAcorn
HomeWrksDocument
EasyDataDatabase
UtlLabelLabelling file
HTMLHyperText Markup Language document
AllocateAcorn resource allocation fileAcorn RISC OS Open Ltd
WaveRIFF format audio
MovieFSMicrosoft Windows Video/Apple QuickTime videoWarm Silence Software
DiscRAcorn Access shared resources directoryAcorn
NoDiscAcorn Access missing shared discAcorn
PBAbacusAcorn PocketBook/Psion Series III spreadsheetAcorn, Psion
PBWriteAcorn PocketBook/Psion Series III word processor documentAcorn, Psion
PBCardsAcorn PocketBook/Psion Series III databaseAcorn, Psion
LinkLinkFS symbolic link
AIFFAudio IFF
PatchAcorn application patch fileAcorn
PrntDefnAcorn !Printers printer definition fileAcorn
DOSDiscDOS MultiFS disc image
SunRastrSun rasterSun Microsystems
SquashSingle compressed fileAcorn
DeviceDevice object within DeviceFSAcorn
HardDiscFileCore hard disc imageAcorn
FloppyFileCore floppy disc imageAcorn
CacheAcorn FontManager font cache fileAcorn
PCEmConfPC Emulator configurationAcorn
BASICTxtBASIC stored as textAcorn
ScrDiffAcorn fileAcorn
DebImageAcorn DDE debuggable imageAcorn, Codemist
MIDIMIDIMIDI Manufacturers Association,
PictPICTApple Inc.,,
TaskExecExec (scripting language) file within taskwindowAcorn
TaskObeyObey file within taskwindowAcorn
MSDOScomPC Emulator DOS command fileDigital Research.com
MSDOSexePC Emulator DOS executable fileDigital Research.exe
MSDOSbatPC Emulator DOS batch fileDigital Research.bat
TextCRLFText using CR and LF for line ends
SoftLinkTCP/IP suite: unresolvable UNIX soft link
MasterUtlBBC Master utilityAcorn
VTSetupTCP/IP suite: VT220 setupDigital Equipment Corporation
VTScriptTCP/IP suite: VT220 scriptDigital Equipment Corporation
AccessryAcorn Arthur desktop accessoryAcorn
MakeAcorn MakefileAcorn
AmigaCommodore Amiga fileCommodore International, Arxe Systems
AtariAtari fileAtari, Arxe Systems
DOSDOS fileDigital Research, Microsoft, Arxe Systems
EPROMBBC Micro sideways ROM imageAcorn
UNIX ExUnix executableAT&T Corporation
ViewShtAcorn ViewSheet spreadsheetAcornsoft
ViewPSAcorn ViewPS "View Professional" word processorAcornsoft
ViewWordAcorn View word processorAcornsoft
DesktopDesktop command fileAcorn
ObeyObey command fileAcorn
TemplateWindow template fileAcorn
PalettePalette dataAcorn
TIFFTagged Image File FormatAldus Corporation,
RawDataRaw unprocessed data (e.g. terminal streams)Acorn
ConfigConfiguration (CMOS RAM)Acorn
LaserJetHP LaserJet data fileHewlett-Packard
PrintoutDot matrix printer data file (various formats)Acorn
PoScriptAdobe PostScript fileAdobe Systems
FontAcorn format outline or bitmap fontAcorn
BBC fontBBC font file (sequence of VDU operations)Acorn
Absolute, also
Acorn Image Format[1]
Absolute application loaded at &8000Acorn
SpriteSprite or saved screenAcorn
ModuleRelocatable moduleAcorn
BASICTokenised BASIC programAcorn
UtilityPosition independent codeAcorn
DataDataAcorn
CommandCommand (Exec) fileAcorn
TextPlain ASCII text with LF newlines
Hexadecimal
type
NameUseConnected partyMapped equivalent

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Naulls. Peter. Do You Object?. 28 June 2012. Drobe. 13 December 2004.