Properties of ABC Files and How to Open a File with .abc Extension

ABC files exist as 4 different types. Please find information about each of them below.

Type 1: ABC Music Notation

ABC is a text-based music notation format. It uses letters A-G for notes, and symbols for length, sharps, flats, etc. Popular for folk and traditional music. This site has 790,000 tunes available as f...

General Information

Title	ABC Music Notation File
Extension	.abc
Full Form	Alphanumeric Beamed Music Notation
File Type	Music Notation File
Developer	Chris Walshaw
MIME Type	text/plain

File Function

Primary Function	Store musical scores
Additional Functions	Transcription, Sharing
Features	Text-based, Readable

File Characteristics

Quality	Depends on content
Supports Layers	No
Supports Transparency	N/A
Editable	Yes

Use Cases

Musical Notation	Yes
Instrument Practice	Yes
Sheet Music Creation	Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks	Low
Best Practices	Version control, Backup

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release	1991
Latest Version	Version 2.2 (2021)

Associated Types

Similar Extensions

.mid, .midi, .mus, .sib

Software Compatibility

Software	Usage Policy	OS Compatibility
EasyABC	Free	Windows, Mac, Linux
abc2midi	Free	Cross-platform
ABCMuse	Free	Windows, Mac, Linux

Type 2: ActionScript Byte Code File

An ABC file contains bytecode created by the Flash compiler when compiling ActionScript scripts. The bytecode can be executed by the ActionScript Virtual Machine (AVM/AVM2). ABC files comprise constant data, AVM2 instructions, and metadata. When loaded into the AVM/AVM2, ABC files undergo verification. If not conforming to AVM2 Overview, rejection occurs.

ABC files contain compiled ActionScript code readable and executable by the AVM/AVM2. Often dynamically generated, users may not see ABC files. Created in the “abcFile structure” format, this structure has primitive data, structured data, and arrays. Primitives are integers and floats. Structured data includes code blocks with constants, types, code, and metadata. Arrays contain primitive and structured data.

Online ABC file apps allow viewing, editing, converting, merging, splitting, and comparing ABC files without installation. Links provide details for each feature.

ABC files are created when the Flash compiler compiles ActionScript scripts. Containing script bytecode readable by the AVM/AVM2, ABC files use the “abcFile structure.” This structure comprises primitive data, structured data, and arrays. Primitives include integers and floats. Structured data has code blocks with constants, types, code, and metadata. Arrays have primitive and structured data.

Originally by Adobe Systems, ABC files are for the Adobe Flash Player. ABC files are common in Japan on Windows 10. Google Chrome is the main browser.

The .abc extension associates with Adobe ActionScript for Flash Player and AIR. Encoded ActionScript from the Flash compiler is inside abc files. Software to open .abc files includes Adobe Flash. Programs creating .abc files include Adobe ActionScript bytecode. ABC files display on Windows, Mac, Linux, and mobile.

Identified mainly as the ActionScript Byte Code File format, ABC files categorize under four distinct file types. ABC files are Developer Files ordinarily. Other types are Vector Image Files or Audio Files. Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems display ABC File Extensions.

In this article, we tried to explain the ABC file, how to open, view or convert it. We hope our site was useful and informative.

General Information

Title	ABC File Extension
Extension	.abc
Full Form	ActionScript Byte Code File
File Type	Compiled Byte Code File
Developer	Adobe Systems
MIME Type	application/x-actionscript-byte-code

File Function

Primary Function	Execute Flash content
Additional Functions	Store compiled code, Interactivity in Flash
Features	Binary code, Optimized execution

File Characteristics

Quality	Optimized performance
Supports Layers	N/A
Supports Transparency	N/A
Editable	No

Use Cases

Web Games	Yes
Web Applications	Yes
Rich Internet Apps	Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks	Code execution, Obsolete format
Best Practices	Monitor usage, Transition to modern technologies

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release	Flash Player 9
Latest Version	Flash Player 32 (2020)

Associated Types

Source File	.as
Compiled File	.swf

Software Compatibility

Software	Usage Policy	OS Compatibility
Adobe Flash Player	Free	Windows, Mac, Linux
Adobe AIR	Free	Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
Apache Royale	Free	Windows, Mac, Linux

Type 3: ABC Source Code

General Information

Title	ABC Source Code File
Extension	.abc
Full Form	ABC Language Source Code File
File Type	Source Code File
Developer	Unknown
MIME Type	text/plain

File Function

Primary Function	Contain code
Additional Functions	Execution by interpreter
Features	Text-based, Instructional

File Characteristics

Quality	Depends on content
Supports Layers	N/A
Supports Transparency	N/A
Editable	Yes

Use Cases

Educational Purposes	Yes
Algorithm Demonstration	Yes
Programming Practice	Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks	Code injection
Best Practices	Sanitize input, code review

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release	Unknown
Latest Version	Varies

Associated Types

Similar Extensions

.txt, .src, .code

Software Compatibility

Software	Usage Policy	OS Compatibility
ABC Interpreter	Free	Varies

Type 4: Micrografx ABC FlowCharter 6 File

We have free online apps that can view, edit, convert, merge, split and compare ABC files without installing anything. Click the links to see details. This article explains what an ABC file is and h...

General Information

Title	.abc File Extension
Extension	.abc
Full Form	ABC FlowCharter 6 File
File Type	Flowchart Design File
Developer	Micrografx
MIME Type	application/vnd.abc

File Function

Primary Function	Store flowcharts
Additional Functions	Contain diagrams, graphics
Features	Graphical elements, Connectors

File Characteristics

Quality	High precision
Supports Layers	Yes
Supports Transparency	No
Editable	Yes

Use Cases

Business Process	Yes
Technical Diagrams	Yes
Educational Purposes	Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks	Low
Best Practices	Regular backups, Authorized access

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release	Early 1990s
Latest Version	FlowCharter 7 (2001)

Associated Types

Similar Extensions

.grf, .igx, .vsd

Software Compatibility

Software	Usage Policy	OS Compatibility
Micrografx ABC FlowCharter	Discontinued	Windows
iGrafx FlowCharter	Paid	Windows