File Extension ARF

File type: AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) Resource File

About the ARF file type:

If Windows cannot find the appropriate program associated with .ARF files, then your registry may have errors. Check your Windows registry for errors (includes file association errors).

A resource file is capable of containing collections of tables, strings, dialog boxes, menus, and icons which are required during the execution of the associated application. It can also be responsible for the execution of user-defined binary data including other similar data types. The ARF file extension is a type of resource file associated with the America Online (AOL) Instant Messaging (AIM) communication software. Upon compilation of the resource file into a suitable format, it can be embedded by the user directly into an existing Dynamic Link Library (DLL) or executable file that will generate one DLL or EXE file that contains both the resource and the code. During runtime, the program can utilize the embedded resource items in the file depending on the requirements of the associated program. The compilation process involved in the creation of a resource file is relatively straightforward and has some similarities with the compilation process utilized by the PowerBASIC application.


Detailed information for file extension ARF

Category: System Files
File format: Proprietary
Open with Windows: AOL Instant Messenger
Open with Linux: TNT
The AIM application supported by the ARF file extension supports the various functionalities of the instant messaging application including the proprietary OSCAR and TOC protocol which allows authorized users to establish real time communication. The application supported by the ARF file extension was launched into the market in May of 1997 and was executed as a standalone application that serves as the official client application of AOL. This resource file supported instant messaging program incorporates various advertisements and can be deployed in various computer system platforms such as Linux, Mac OS, and Microsoft Windows Operating System environments. By 2006, AIM has successfully captured 52 percent of the United States instant messaging market. AIM is widely differentiated from other IM clients like Yahoo! by allowing its users to add contacts to their buddy list without requiring the approval of the buddy.