CompTIA ITF+ Practice Test

Which of the following operating systems do not require extensions on files to execute a program? (Select TWO).

1. Windows

2. MacOS

3. UNIX & Linux

4. PalmOS

The correct answer is: UNIX & Linux

The correct response identifies UNIX and Linux as operating systems that do not require file extensions for program execution. In these environments, executable files are determined by the permissions assigned to them, particularly whether the execute permission is set. Users can run a script or binary simply by invoking its path in the terminal, regardless of the file extension. This allows for more flexibility since executables can have any name or extension, and the system recognizes the file as executable based on its permissions rather than its name. In contrast, Windows typically relies on file extensions (like .exe, .bat, or .cmd) to understand how to execute a file. Similarly, while MacOS can execute files without extensions, it generally recognizes applications through a specific format that often includes an extension as part of its utilization. PalmOS also does not require extensions for execution, but UNIX and Linux stand out as the primary choices in most discussions regarding this characteristic. This characteristic of UNIX and Linux contributes to their efficiency and powerful command-line interfaces, providing users with more control over how programs are executed without the constraint of naming conventions.