What is .COM File Format and How to Open it?
.COM is a file format used by DOS and Windows operating systems to indicate an executable program. It is one of the oldest file formats still in use today, dating back to the early days of computing when CP/M and DOS were the dominant operating systems.
The .COM format is a simple one, consisting of a header and a series of instructions. The header contains information such as the program’s entry point, the size of the program, and the address of the entry point. The instructions determine how the program will be executed.
When a .COM file is opened, the header is read and the instructions are loaded into memory. The CPU then executes the code in the program, and the program performs the desired task.
Since .COM files are so simple, they can be written using a text editor or a hex editor and compiled using a compiler such as the Turbo C++ compiler. However, most programs are written in a high-level language, such as C++, and then compiled into .COM files.
Today, .COM files are rarely used since they are limited to 64KB in size, and most programs require more memory than this. In addition, the Windows operating system no longer supports the .COM format, although some emulators can still be used to execute .COM files.