APL files exist as 3 different types. Please find information about each of them below.
Type 1: Monkey's Audio Track Information File
General Information
| Title | APL File Extension |
| Extension | .apl |
| Full Form | Monkey's Audio Track Information File |
| File Type | Audio Metadata File |
| Developer | Matthew T. Ashland |
| MIME Type | application/octet-stream |
File Function
| Primary Function | Store track info |
| Additional Functions | Support lossless encoding |
| Features | CUE sheet data, Non-audio metadata |
File Characteristics
| Quality | Lossless |
| Supports Layers | No |
| Supports Transparency | No |
| Editable | Indirectly |
Use Cases
| Audio Archiving | Yes |
| High-Fidelity Playback | Yes |
| Audio Editing | Limited |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Low risk |
| Best Practices | Regular updates, CUE pairing |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | 2000 |
| Latest Version | As of Monkey's Audio 6.23 (2021) |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .ape, .cue |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
 Monkey's Audio |
Free | Windows |
| Foobar2000 |
Free | Windows |
| MediaMonkey |
Free, Paid | Windows |
Type 2: ArcPad Layer File
General Information
| Title | APL File Extension |
| Extension | .apl |
| Full Form | ArcPad Layer File |
| File Type | GIS Layer File |
| Developer | Esri |
| MIME Type | application/octet-stream |
File Function
| Primary Function | Store GIS data |
| Additional Functions | Display map layers |
| Features | Geospatial, Portable |
File Characteristics
| Quality | High precision |
| Supports Layers | Yes |
| Supports Transparency | Yes |
| Editable | Yes |
Use Cases
| Field Mapping | Yes |
| Data Collection | Yes |
| Environmental Studies | Yes |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Data leakage |
| Best Practices | Encrypted storage, Access controls |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | Late 1990s |
| Latest Version | ArcPad 10.2.6 (2018) |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .shp, .mxd, .gdb |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
 Esri ArcPad |
Licensed | Windows, Windows Mobile |
Type 3: ACDSee Plugin File
General Information
| Title | APL File Extension |
| Extension | .apl |
| Full Form | ACDSee Plugin File |
| File Type | Plugin File |
| Developer | ACD Systems |
| MIME Type | application/octet-stream |
File Function
| Primary Function | Extend functionality |
| Additional Functions | Add features, support formats |
| Features | Custom tools, image support |
File Characteristics
| Quality | Binary code |
| Supports Layers | Varies |
| Supports Transparency | Varies |
| Editable | No |
Use Cases
| Image Enhancement | Yes |
| File Management | Yes |
| Special Effects | Yes |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Executable code |
| Best Practices | Verified source, secure installation |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | Varies |
| Latest Version | Depends on ACDSee version |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .api, .8bf, .8bi |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
| ACDSee |
Paid | Windows |