Program information file
From Just Solve the File Format Problem
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| subcat = Executables | | subcat = Executables | ||
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| extensions = {{ext|pif}} | | extensions = {{ext|pif}} | ||
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Program information file (aka PIF file) is used by the multitasking Windows environment to describe how to open a legacy DOS program. It contains things like the amount of available memory (conventional, high, extended, expanded), the number of rows and columns of ASCII output on screen, mouse capture, full screen mode, behaviour of the window after program termination, etc. | Program information file (aka PIF file) is used by the multitasking Windows environment to describe how to open a legacy DOS program. It contains things like the amount of available memory (conventional, high, extended, expanded), the number of rows and columns of ASCII output on screen, mouse capture, full screen mode, behaviour of the window after program termination, etc. | ||
PIFs themselves should have no executable code, but due to the way current Windows OS handles these files, if the file with such extension were to contain an executable it would run on double click. Because of this these files should be included in virus scans. | PIFs themselves should have no executable code, but due to the way current Windows OS handles these files, if the file with such extension were to contain an executable it would run on double click. Because of this these files should be included in virus scans. | ||
| − | == | + | == Sample files == |
| − | + | * Random examples of DOS packages that include a PIF file: [{{CdTextfilesURL|simtel/stmsdos9709/disk1/DISC1/ARCUTILS/ACZAR210.ZIP}}], [{{CdTextfilesURL|simtel/stmsdos9709/disk1/DISC1/ARCUTILS/SHEZ109.ZIP}}], [{{CdTextfilesURL|simtel/stmsdos9709/disk1/DISC1/DIRUTL/DIRSTS21.ZIP}}], [{{CdTextfilesURL|simtel/stmsdos9709/disk1/DISC1/DIRUTL/WIZ37.ZIP}}], [{{CdTextfilesURL|simtel/stmsdos9709/disk1/DISC1/FILEUTIL/FB315.ZIP}}], [{{CdTextfilesURL|simtel/stmsdos9709/disk1/DISC1/GRAPHICS/PV250.ZIP}}], [{{CdTextfilesURL|simtel/stmsdos9709/disk1/DISC1/EDUCATE/QWIZTEST.ZIP}}], [{{CdTextfilesURL|simtel/stmsdos9709/disk1/DISC1/DESKACES/SCAL9609.ZIP}}], [{{CdTextfilesURL|simtel/stmsdos9709/disk1/DISC1/DIRUTL/SEEKER12.ZIP}}], [{{CdTextfilesURL|simtel/simtel0101/simtel/diskutil/vgacp623.zip}}], [{{CdTextfilesURL|pdos9606/ARCHIVER/EXECOMP/PKLT201.ZIP}}] | |
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| − | + | Old format: | |
| − | + | * [https://archive.org/details/microsoft-windows-286-v2.1 Microsoft Windows/286 v2.1] → ... → Disk 12 → PIF/*.PIF | |
| − | + | * [https://winworldpc.com/product/topview/1x TopView 1.x] at WinWorld → AUTOPIF, etc. | |
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| − | == | + | == Links == |
| − | * [ | + | * [[Wikipedia: Program information file]] |
| + | * [https://web.archive.org/web/20171224104102/https://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/windows_dos_configure.mspx?mfr=true Microsoft's information about PIF files] (archived) | ||
[[Category:Metadata]] | [[Category:Metadata]] | ||
[[Category:Microsoft]] | [[Category:Microsoft]] | ||
[[Category:Windows]] | [[Category:Windows]] | ||
Revision as of 18:27, 30 July 2022
Program information file (aka PIF file) is used by the multitasking Windows environment to describe how to open a legacy DOS program. It contains things like the amount of available memory (conventional, high, extended, expanded), the number of rows and columns of ASCII output on screen, mouse capture, full screen mode, behaviour of the window after program termination, etc.
PIFs themselves should have no executable code, but due to the way current Windows OS handles these files, if the file with such extension were to contain an executable it would run on double click. Because of this these files should be included in virus scans.
Sample files
- Random examples of DOS packages that include a PIF file: [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11]
Old format:
- Microsoft Windows/286 v2.1 → ... → Disk 12 → PIF/*.PIF
- TopView 1.x at WinWorld → AUTOPIF, etc.
