OUT File – What is .out file and how to open it?

Overview of OUT Files

An OUT file is a compiled executable file created by a compiler, such as a C compiler or a Java compiler. It typically contains instructions that can be executed by a computer’s central processing unit (CPU). OUT files are often generated during the software development process, as a step between writing source code and creating a finished executable binary.

Technical Details about OUT Files

OUT files typically contain machine code, which is a type of low-level language that can be directly interpreted by a CPU. The machine code instructions specify operations to be performed, such as arithmetic calculations, memory accesses, or conditional branching. OUT files may also contain information about the program’s structure, such as function names and variable locations, which is necessary for the program to run correctly.

Opening OUT Files in Windows

An OUT file in Windows, commonly associated with compiled executable files, is generated during the compilation process of a source code file. To open an OUT file in Windows, you can use a text editor or a hexadecimal editor.

Text editors like Notepad or Notepad++ allow you to view the contents of the OUT file as plain text, which can be helpful for examining the output of the compilation process. Hexadecimal editors, on the other hand, enable you to view the file’s binary data in a hexadecimal format, providing a more detailed understanding of the file’s structure and contents.

Opening OUT Files in Other Operating Systems

The process of opening OUT files may vary slightly depending on the operating system you are using. In macOS, you can use the “open” command in Terminal to open an OUT file. For example, to open an OUT file named “output.out,” you would type the following command:


open output.out


This will open the file in the default text editor associated with OUT files on your system. Similarly, in Linux-based operating systems, you can use the “cat” command to view the contents of an OUT file. For instance, to view the contents of the “output.out” file, you would type:


cat output.out


File Format and Usage

An OUT file is a compiled executable file, typically generated by a compiler or assembler. It contains machine code instructions that can be directly executed by a computer’s central processing unit (CPU). OUT files are commonly associated with programming languages like C, C++, and assembly language, where source code is first compiled into an object file (e.g., .OBJ) and then linked into an executable file (e.g., .OUT).

The specific format of an OUT file depends on the compiler and operating system being used. However, most OUT files follow a standard structure, including header information, code segments, and data segments. The header typically contains metadata such as the file size, entry point, and relocation information for linking. Code segments store the executable instructions, while data segments contain any constant data or initialized variables used by the program.

Applications and Limitations

OUT files are essential for running compiled programs. They enable the computer to understand and execute the instructions written in human-readable source code. OUT files are commonly used for developing and distributing software, such as operating systems, application software, and utilities. They can be executed directly from a command-line interface or GUI environment.

However, OUT files are specific to the operating system and hardware architecture they were compiled for. This means that an OUT file compiled for one system may not run on another system with a different architecture or operating system. Additionally, OUT files can be vulnerable to security threats such as buffer overflows and malware infections, making it important to obtain executable files from trusted sources.

Other Extensions