Definition: A file extension is a suffix at the end of a filename that indicates the file type

and determines which programs can open it.

Importance: Understanding file extensions helps you identify file types, choose the right
software to open files, and understand the purpose of different file formats.

Common File Extensions and Formats

1. Text and Document Files

●​ .txt (Plain Text File)

o​ Description: Basic text file without any formatting.

o​ Uses: Notes, simple text documents.

o​ Programs: Notepad, TextEdit.

●​ .doc/.docx (Microsoft Word Document)

o​ Description: Word processing file with rich text, images, and other formatting.

o​ Uses: Reports, essays, letters.

o​ Programs: Microsoft Word, Google Docs.

●​ .pdf (Portable Document Format)

o​ Description: Document format that preserves formatting across different devices

o​ Uses: E-books, official documents, forms.

o​ Programs: Adobe Acrobat Reader, web browsers.

2. Image Files

●​ .jpg/.jpeg (Joint Photographic Experts Group)

o​ Description: Compressed image format that balances quality and file size.

o​ Uses: Photographs, web images.

o​ Programs: Photoshop, Preview, web browsers.

●​ .png (Portable Network Graphics)

o​ Description: Lossless compression format supporting transparency.

o​ Uses: Web graphics, logos, icons.

o​ Programs: Photoshop, GIMP, web browsers.

●​ .gif (Graphics Interchange Format)

o​ Description: Supports animation and limited to 256 colors.

o​ Programs: Photoshop, web browsers.

3. Audio and Video Files

●​ .mp3 (MPEG Audio Layer III)

o​ Description: Compressed audio format.

o​ Uses: Music, podcasts.

o​ Programs: iTunes, Windows Media Player.

●​ .wav (Waveform Audio File Format)

o​ Description: Uncompressed audio format.

o​ Uses: Professional audio recording.

o​ Programs: Audacity, Windows Media Player.

●​ .mp4 (MPEG-4 Part 14)

o​ Description: Compressed video format.

o​ Uses: Videos, movies, streaming.

o​ Programs: VLC Media Player, QuickTime.

4. Compressed Files

●​ .zip (Zipped File)

o​ Description: Compressed archive file that can contain multiple files.

o​ Uses: Reducing file size for storage and sharing.

o​ Programs: WinRAR, 7-Zip, Windows Explorer.

●​ .rar (Roshal Archive)

o​ Description: Compressed archive file.

o​ Uses: Reducing file size for storage and sharing.

o​ Programs: WinRAR, 7-Zip.

5. Executable Files

●​ .exe (Executable File)

o​ Description: A file that runs a program.

o​ Uses: Software installation, program launchers.

o​ Programs: Windows OS.

o​ Description: Script file containing commands to be executed by the

o​ Uses: Automating tasks.

o​ Programs: Windows Command Prompt.

6. Web Files

●​ .html/.htm (HyperText Markup Language)

o​ Description: The standard markup language for creating web pages.

o​ Uses: Building web pages and web applications.

o​ Programs: Web browsers, text editors (Sublime Text, VS Code).

●​ .css (Cascading Style Sheets)

o​ Description: Used to describe the presentation of web pages, including layout,

o​ Uses: Web design, styling web pages.

o​ Programs: Text editors, web browsers.

Lossless and Lossy Compression

Lossless Compression

Definition: Lossless compression is a method of reducing file size without losing any data. The
original image can be perfectly reconstructed from the compressed data.

How it works:

●​ Redundancy Elimination: Identifies and removes redundant information within the file.

●​ Compression Algorithms: Examples include PNG and GIF for images, and ZIP for
files.

Advantages:

●​ No Loss of Quality: The image retains its original quality and detail after
decompression.

●​ Ideal for Text and Detailed Images: Best used for images with text or high levels of
detail, like technical drawings or medical images.

Disadvantages:
 ●​ Less Compression: Typically, the file size reduction is not as significant as with lossy
compression.

Examples:

●​ PNG (Portable Network Graphics): Supports transparency and lossless compression,

●​ GIF (Graphics Interchange Format): Also lossless but limited to 256 colors, making it
suitable for simple graphics and animations.

Lossy Compression

Definition: Lossy compression reduces file size by permanently eliminating some data,
especially redundant or less important information. This can result in a loss of image quality.

How it works:

●​ Data Removal: Removes some data that the human eye is less likely to notice.

●​ Compression Algorithms: Examples include JPEG for images and MP3 for audio files.

Advantages:

●​ Significant Compression: Can greatly reduce file size, making it easier to store and
transmit.

●​ Efficient for Web Use: Commonly used for images on websites where smaller file sizes
are needed to ensure faster loading times.

Disadvantages:

●​ Quality Loss: Repeated editing and saving can degrade image quality.

●​ Not Suitable for High-Quality Needs: Not ideal for images where preserving the
highest quality is crucial, such as in professional photography or printing.

Examples:

●​ JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group): Widely used for photographs and web
images. It provides a good balance between compression ratio and image quality.

●​ MP3: A lossy compression format for audio that reduces file size by removing
frequencies less audible to human hearing.

Visual Example

Lossless Compression:

●​ Original Image: Full quality, 10 MB.

●​ Compressed Image (PNG): Retains all original data, 8 MB.

Lossy Compression:
 ●​ Original Image: Full quality, 10 MB.

●​ Compressed Image (JPEG): Removes some data, 2 MB.

Summary

●​ Use Lossless Compression when image quality is paramount, and you need an exact
replica of the original after decompression.

●​ Use Lossy Compression when reducing file size is more important than retaining
perfect image quality, such as for web images or when storage space is limited.

Here are some essential shortcut keys that will help you work more efficiently on
your computer:
File Management

●​ Ctrl + C: Copy

●​ Ctrl + X: Cut

●​ Ctrl + V: Paste

●​ Ctrl + Z: Undo

●​ Ctrl + Y: Redo

●​ Ctrl + S: Save

●​ Ctrl + A: Select all

●​ F2: Rename a selected file or folder

●​ Ctrl + Shift + N: Create a new folder

Navigation and Window Management

●​ Alt + Tab: Switch between open applications

●​ Alt + F4: Close the current window

●​ Windows Key + D: Show or hide the desktop

●​ Windows Key + E: Open File Explorer

●​ Windows Key + L: Lock your computer

●​ Windows Key + Arrow Keys: Snap the active window to the sides or corners of the
screen

Text Editing

●​ Ctrl + A: Select all text

●​ Ctrl + I: Italicize selected text

●​ Ctrl + U: Underline selected text

●​ Ctrl + F: Find

●​ Ctrl + H: Find and replace

●​ Ctrl + P: Print

●​ Ctrl + N: Open a new document or window

●​ Ctrl + O: Open an existing document or file

Web Browsing

●​ Ctrl + T: Open a new tab

●​ Ctrl + W: Close the current tab

●​ Ctrl + Shift + T: Reopen the last closed tab

●​ Ctrl + Tab: Switch to the next tab

●​ Ctrl + Shift + Tab: Switch to the previous tab

●​ Ctrl + L: Focus on the address bar

General Shortcuts

●​ Ctrl + Esc: Open the Start menu

●​ Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Open Task Manager

●​ Ctrl + R: Refresh the current window

●​ Ctrl + D: Bookmark the current page (in web browsers)

●​ Ctrl + Shift + N: Open an incognito or private browsing window

Accessibility

●​ Windows Key + Plus (+): Open Magnifier and zoom in

●​ Windows Key + Minus (-): Zoom out using Magnifier

●​ Windows Key + U: Open Ease of Access Center

Tips for Learning and Using Shortcut Keys:

1.​ Start Small: Begin with a few shortcuts and gradually add more to your repertoire.

2.​ Practice Regularly: Use these shortcuts in your daily tasks to become more
comfortable with them.
 3.​ Create a Cheat Sheet: Keep a list of your most-used shortcuts handy until you
memorize them.

4.​ Explore: Try out different shortcuts to discover new ones that can improve your
workflow.

Using these shortcut keys will help you become more proficient and efficient in your computer
tasks. Happy practicing!