PAR files exist as 4 different types. Please find information about each of them below.
Type 1: FMS Aircraft Parameters File
General Information
| Title | PAR File Extension |
| Extension | .par |
| Full Form | FMS Aircraft Parameters File |
| File Type | Configuration File |
| Developer | Various FMS developers |
| MIME Type | application/octet-stream |
File Function
| Primary Function | Store parameters |
| Additional Functions | FMS configuration |
| Features | Text-based, Key-value pairs |
File Characteristics
| Quality | Highly structured |
| Supports Layers | No |
| Supports Transparency | No |
| Editable | Yes |
Use Cases
| Aircraft Simulation | Yes |
| Flight Management | Yes |
| Flight Training | Yes |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Sensitive data exposure |
| Best Practices | Access control, Encryption |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | N/A |
| Latest Version | Varies by FMS |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .cfg, .ini, .txt |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
 Various FMS Software |
Varies | Varies |
Type 2: Parchive Index File
General Information
| Title | PAR File Extension |
| Extension | .par |
| Full Form | Parchive Index File |
| File Type | Data Recovery File |
| Developer | Parchive Project |
| MIME Type | application/octet-stream |
File Function
| Primary Function | Data recovery |
| Additional Functions | File verification, Repair archives |
| Features | Error correction, Redundancy |
File Characteristics
| Quality | Error-resilient |
| Supports Layers | N/A |
| Supports Transparency | N/A |
| Editable | No |
Use Cases
| Data Integrity | Yes |
| Usenet Downloading | Yes |
| File Archiving | Yes |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Low |
| Best Practices | Verify files, Create redundancy |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | 2001 |
| Latest Version | Depends on software |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .par2, .sfv, .md5 |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
| QuickPar |
Free | Windows |
| MultiPar |
Free | Windows |
| par2cmdline |
Free | Cross-platform |
Type 3: Solid Edge Part File
General Information
| Title | PAR File Extension |
| Extension | .par |
| Full Form | Solid Edge Part File |
| File Type | 3D CAD Part File |
| Developer | Siemens |
| MIME Type | application/octet-stream |
File Function
| Primary Function | Store 3D parts |
| Additional Functions | Contain geometry, material properties |
| Features | Parametric, Feature-based |
File Characteristics
| Quality | High precision |
| Supports Layers | Yes |
| Supports Transparency | Yes |
| Editable | Yes |
Use Cases
| Mechanical Design | Yes |
| Engineering | Yes |
| Simulation | Yes |
| Manufacturing | Yes |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | File corruption |
| Best Practices | Regular backups, version control |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | 1996 |
| Latest Version | Depends on Solid Edge version |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .asm, .dft, .psm |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
 Solid Edge |
Paid | Windows |
| FreeCAD |
Free | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| CAD Exchanger |
Paid, Free Trial | Windows, Mac, Linux |
Type 4: Dedicated Micros DVR Recording
General Information
| Title | PAR File Extension |
| Extension | .par |
| Full Form | DVR Recording File |
| File Type | Video File |
| Developer | Dedicated Micros |
| MIME Type | application/octet-stream |
File Function
| Primary Function | Store video |
| Additional Functions | Archive footage |
| Features | Proprietary, Time-stamped |
File Characteristics
| Quality | Varies with settings |
| Supports Layers | No |
| Supports Transparency | No |
| Editable | No |
Use Cases
| Surveillance | Yes |
| Evidence | Yes |
| Monitoring | Yes |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Unauthorized access |
| Best Practices | Secure storage, Limited access |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | Unknown |
| Latest Version | Varies with device |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .dav, .dv4, .264 |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
| NetVu ObserVer |
Free | Windows, Mac |
 DM Playback |
Free | Windows |