File extensions

The distribution package for Android apps. Internally a ZIP archive holding DEX bytecode, resources, and a manifest.

A Windows batch script run by the Command Prompt. Double-clicking executes the commands inside — and therefore can do anything a user can.

The package format for Debian-based Linux distributions (Ubuntu, Mint, etc.). Installs, upgrades, and removes software via dpkg / apt.

A shared library on Windows. Loaded by `.exe` processes to expose functions. DLLs are never run on their own — always loaded into a host.

A native Windows executable. Double-clicking launches the program. Disguised EXEs are one of the most common malware delivery paths.

The distribution package for iOS apps. A ZIP containing the `.app` bundle, metadata, and a provisioning profile.

The standard Windows installer container. Holds install, upgrade, repair, and uninstall instructions.

The macOS Installer package. Used to ship apps that require system-level changes rather than a simple .app drag-to-Applications.

A PowerShell script. Used for Windows administration, server operations, and DevOps pipelines.

Red Hat-family Linux package format (RHEL, CentOS, Fedora, openSUSE). Managed with dnf / yum / zypper.

A script executed by a Unix shell (bash, zsh, sh). A shebang on line one picks the interpreter; the execute bit controls whether it can run.