.LDF File Extension

LDF files exist as 3 different types. Please find information about each of them below.

Type 1: SQL Server Transaction Log File

The log file will be truncated regularly. Set recovery mode to SIMPLE instead of regularly shrinking the log file. This defeats recovering every change. Transaction logs can be truncated once a chec...

General Information

Title LDF File Extension
Extension .ldf
Full Form Log Data File
File Type Database File
Developer Microsoft
MIME Type application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function Store transaction logs
Additional Functions Data recovery, Database integrity
Features Rollback, Redo transactions

File Characteristics

Quality Binary format
Supports Layers N/A
Supports Transparency N/A
Editable Indirectly

Use Cases

Database Management Yes
Data Recovery Yes
Error Analysis Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks Unauthorized access
Best Practices Regular backups, Restricted access

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release SQL Server 7.0 (1998)
Latest Version SQL Server 2022 (2022)

Associated Types

Primary Database File .mdf
Secondary Database File .ndf
Backup File .bak

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
Microsoft SQL Server Free, Commercial Windows, Linux, Docker
SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) Free Windows
Azure Data Studio Free Windows, Mac, Linux

Type 2: Lingoes Dictionary Source File

The ldf file contains dictionary terms (glossary) and definitions. The entries called terms are words and phrases defined in the dictionary. The term is the primary key (index). Ldf files compile into...

General Information

Title LDF File Extension
Extension .ldf
Full Form Lingoes Dictionary File
File Type Dictionary Source File
Developer Lingoes Project
MIME Type application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function Store dictionary data
Additional Functions Support translation
Features Text-based, Multilingual support

File Characteristics

Quality Data integrity
Supports Layers N/A
Supports Transparency N/A
Editable Yes

Use Cases

Language Learning Yes
Translation Services Yes
Educational Software Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks Low risk
Best Practices Verify sources

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release 2007
Latest Version Varies with software

Associated Types

Similar Extensions .ld2, .bgl, .xlf, .dic

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
Lingoes Translator Free Windows

Type 3: LaserDisc FLAC-compressed File

The BBC created the Domesday project in 1986 to document British culture. The data was stored on LaserDiscs using the LaserVision Read Only Memory (LV-ROM) format. An LDF file contains encoded analog ...

General Information

Title LDF File Extension
Extension .ldf
Full Form LaserDisc FLAC-compressed File
File Type Audio/Video File
Developer N/A
MIME Type N/A

File Function

Primary Function Audio/Video storage
Additional Functions High-quality preservation
Features Lossless compression, Synchronization

File Characteristics

Quality High
Supports Layers N/A
Supports Transparency N/A
Editable Limited

Use Cases

Media Archiving Yes
Audio Editing Yes
Video Production Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks Low
Best Practices Regular backups, Integrity checks

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release N/A
Latest Version N/A

Associated Types

Similar Extensions .flac, .m2ts, .ts

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
VLC Media Player Free Windows, Mac, Linux, Unix
FFmpeg Free Windows, Mac, Linux
Audacity Free Windows, Mac, Linux