A program file is a special kind of data file that contains a program with executable code for your computer.

Among others, data files with the .EXE (for "executable") file name extension will be considered program files by &os2;. If &xwp; finds icon data within the program file and can interpret it, the program file's icon will automatically be set accordingly. Otherwise the program file receives a default icon, depending on its session type.

In many cases, you can simply double-click on a program file to start it. However, if you are not sure what the program does, you should be cautious in doing so because many program files are not designed to be started manually.

This is also why the recommended way to start applications in &os2; is to create &link_progobjs; for them. Note that many software packages come with an installation program that will do this for you automatically.

For more information, select from the following list: