.AML File Extension

AML files exist as 5 different types. Please find information about each of them below.

Type 1: ACPI Machine Language File

General Information

Title AML File Extension
Extension .aml
Full Form ACPI Machine Language File
File Type Binary File
Developer Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI)
MIME Type application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function Configure hardware
Additional Functions Power management, Device enumeration
Features Low-level, Hardware control

File Characteristics

Quality Standardized
Supports Layers N/A
Supports Transparency N/A
Editable No

Use Cases

System Boot Yes
Operating System Yes
Driver Development Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks Firmware targeting
Best Practices Firmware updates, Code verification

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release 1996
Latest Version ACPI 6.4 (2021)

Associated Types

Source Extensions .asl, .dslt

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
Microsoft Windows Licensed Windows
Linux Kernel Free Linux
ACPI Utilities Free Various

Type 2: Arc Macro Language File

An AML file contains script commands to create user interfaces and manipulate map data. The proprietary Arc Macro Language was designed by ESRI in 1986 for the ArcInfo GIS system. AML files are plain ...

General Information

Title AML File Extension
Extension .aml
Full Form Arc Macro Language File
File Type GIS Macro File
Developer ESRI
MIME Type text/plain

File Function

Primary Function Store macros, scripts
Additional Functions Automate tasks
Features Text-based, Scriptable

File Characteristics

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

Use Cases

GIS Analysis Yes
Mapping Automation Yes
Data Management Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks Script injection
Best Practices Code validation, Sanitization

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release 1980s
Latest Version Dependent on ArcGIS version

Associated Types

Similar Extensions .py, .tbx, .mdx

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
ArcGIS Paid Windows
ArcInfo Workstation Paid Windows

Type 3: Automation Markup Language File

General Information

Title AML File Extension
Extension .aml
Full Form Automation Markup Language File
File Type XML Based Configuration File
Developer Not standardized by a single developer
MIME Type application/xml

File Function

Primary Function Store automation data
Additional Functions Interchange information
Features Text-based, Readable, Editable

File Characteristics

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

Use Cases

Industrial Automation Yes
PLC Programming Yes
Robotics Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks Data tampering
Best Practices Validation, Backup

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release Not standardized
Latest Version Depends on software

Associated Types

Similar Extensions .xml, .csv, .json

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
CoDeSys Commercial Windows
Automation Studio Commercial Windows
Various PLC Software Commercial Varies

Type 4: Abstract Markup Language

General Information

Title AML File Extension
Extension .aml
Full Form Abstract Markup Language File
File Type Markup Language File
Developer Various
MIME Type application/xml

File Function

Primary Function Data representation
Additional Functions Information structuring
Features Human-readable, Hierarchical

File Characteristics

Quality Structured data
Supports Layers N/A
Supports Transparency N/A
Editable Yes

Use Cases

Industrial Automation Yes
Data Interchange Yes
System Engineering Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks Insecure references
Best Practices Validation, Sanitization

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release Varies
Latest Version Varies

Associated Types

Similar Extensions .xml, .html

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
XML Editors Free and Paid Windows, Mac, Linux
Custom AML Tools Varies Varies

Type 5: Microsoft Assistance Markup Language File

General Information

Title AML File Extension
Extension .aml
Full Form Microsoft Assistance Markup Language File
File Type XML-based Help File
Developer Microsoft
MIME Type application/xml

File Function

Primary Function Store help content
Additional Functions Provide assistance, Define help topics

File Characteristics

Quality Structured content
Supports Layers No
Supports Transparency No
Editable Yes

Use Cases

Software Documentation Yes
Developer Assistance Yes
Integrated Help Systems Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks Potential XML vulnerabilities
Best Practices Validate XML, Sanitize input

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release With Visual Studio
Latest Version Tied to Visual Studio updates

Associated Types

Similar Extensions .xml, .mshc, .chm

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
Microsoft Help Viewer Part of Visual Studio Windows
Visual Studio Paid, Free Community Edition Windows