.ASC File Extension

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

Type 1: PGP ASCII Armored File

An ASC file stores data in text format. It may contain shapes and points exported by Autodesk programs. The text format makes ASC files compatible with more programs. Exporting to ASC may remove some ...

General Information

Title ASC File Extension
Extension .asc
Full Form ASCII Armored File
File Type PGP Encrypted File
Developer PGP Corporation, OpenPGP Alliance
MIME Type text/plain

File Function

Primary Function Secure communication
Additional Functions Signature, verification
Features Encryption, ASCII armor

File Characteristics

Quality Text-based
Supports Layers N/A
Supports Transparency N/A
Editable Before encryption

Use Cases

Email Encryption Yes
File Encryption Yes
Signature Verification Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks Key compromise
Best Practices Key management, passphrase protection

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release 1990s
Latest Version Varies by software

Associated Types

Similar Extensions .gpg, .pgp, .skb, .pkr

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
GNU Privacy Guard (GnuPG) Free Windows, Mac, Linux
OpenPGP.js Free Cross-platform
PGP Desktop Commercial Windows, Mac

Type 2: ActionScript Communication File

An ASC file contains ActionScript code executed by Adobe Flash Player. It controls tasks like playing media, displaying images, or animating objects. ASC files communicate between Adobe Flash and Adob...

General Information

Title ASC File Extension
Extension .asc
Full Form ActionScript Communication File
File Type Script File
Developer Adobe Systems
MIME Type application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function Client-server communication
Additional Functions Data serialization, Remoting support
Features Interoperable, Text-based

File Characteristics

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

Use Cases

Web Services Yes
Flash Applications Yes
Data Exchange Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks Code injection
Best Practices Input validation, Code review

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release Early 2000s
Latest Version Depends on Adobe Flash version

Associated Types

Similar Extensions .as, .fla, .swf

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
Adobe Flash Free Windows, Mac
Adobe Flex Free Windows, Mac, Linux
Adobe Flash Builder Paid Windows, Mac
FlashDevelop Free Windows

Type 3: Autodesk ASCII Export File

ASC files store information about objects in drawings, including location, size and color. Autodesk software can open ASC files for importing and exporting drawings between CAD programs. ASC files u...

General Information

Title ASC File Extension
Extension .asc
Full Form Autodesk ASCII Export File
File Type 3D Scene File
Developer Autodesk
MIME Type text/plain

File Function

Primary Function Store geometry data
Additional Functions Exchange 3D data
Features ASCII format, Readable

File Characteristics

Quality High precision
Supports Layers Yes
Supports Transparency No
Editable Yes

Use Cases

Architecture Yes
Engineering Yes
3D Printing Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks Low
Best Practices Version control, Data validation

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release Varies by software
Latest Version Dependent on software

Associated Types

Similar Extensions .dwg, .dxf, .3ds

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
Autodesk AutoCAD Subscription Windows, Mac
Autodesk 3ds Max Subscription Windows
Various CAD software Varies Windows, Mac, Linux

Type 4: ASCII Text File

Files with the .ASC extension are ASCII text files. They are used to exchange 3D scenes, geometry points, or shapes between Autodesk programs like 3DS Max and AutoCAD. They also store electronic circu...

General Information

Title ASC File Extension
Extension .asc
Full Form ASCII Text File
File Type Text File
Developer Various
MIME Type text/plain

File Function

Primary Function Store text
Additional Functions Data import/export
Features Human-readable, Plain text

File Characteristics

Quality Plain text
Supports Layers No
Supports Transparency No
Editable Yes

Use Cases

Data Storage Yes
Code Files Yes
Configuration Scripts Yes
Log Files Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks Low risk
Best Practices Validation, Encoding

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release Early computing
Latest Version N/A

Associated Types

Similar Extensions .txt, .csv, .log

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
Notepad Free Windows
TextEdit Free macOS
Vim Free Windows, Mac, Linux
GNU Emacs Free Windows, Mac, Linux

Type 5: LTspice Circuit Schematic File

General Information

Title ASC File Extension
Extension .asc
Full Form ASCII Circuit Schematic File
File Type Circuit Schematic File
Developer Analog Devices
MIME Type application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function Store circuit design
Additional Functions Simulation source
Features Text-based, Human-readable

File Characteristics

Quality Precision dependent
Supports Layers No
Supports Transparency No
Editable Yes

Use Cases

Circuit Design Yes
Educational Purposes Yes
Engineering Simulation Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks Low risk
Best Practices Regular backups, Version control

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release Not specified
Latest Version Depends on LTspice version

Associated Types

Similar Extensions .plt, .raw, .net

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
LTspice Free Windows, macOS