What type of file is denoted by the .exe extension?

The file denoted by the .exe extension is classified as an application file. This type of file is specifically designed to execute a program when opened. When a user double-clicks on an .exe file, it triggers the operating system to run the instructions contained within that file, launching an application or series of tasks that it is programmed to perform.

In contrast, other file types serve different purposes: a text document typically uses extensions like .txt or .docx for written content, a compressed file such as .zip or .rar is used for archiving and reducing file size by bundling multiple files together, and an image file usually carries extensions like .jpg or .png for visual content. These distinctions are important for understanding how different files function within a digital environment.