Opening a PRG File

The PRG file type is primarily associated with VICE Emulator.

PRG	File extension: PRG
	File type:	program file

What is a PRG file?

PRG files mostly belong to VICE Emulator. An PRG file is a file that holds program instructions. It may contain plain text source code or compiled code and can be formatted in different ways, such as using XML or even a Microsoft Compound File structure.
These files are used in many specific systems. For example:

Commodore 64 programs: These files store BASIC code used by classic Commodore 64 computers. They are often run in emulators like VICE Emulator or edited using tools like C64Studio or Calamus.

Measurement and industrial applications: Some PRG files hold instructions for coordinate measuring systems (as seen with PC-DMIS) and are based on data formats that support machine operations. More details can be found at Hexagon MI.

Automotive and database programs: Certain PRG files are used as FoxPro source code or as EDIABAS program files. These are used in diagnostic and data applications, with support information available at Bimmer Forums.

Wearable and firmware updates: Some files serve as code for Garmin watch faces (via Garmin Connect IQ, see Garmin Connect IQ) or contain firmware for programmable logic controllers, such as those supported by Panasonic (Panasonic Support).

Other uses: In some cases, the same extension is used for configuration data and program files for geospatial or legacy Windows applications (for example, Trimble Business Center and older Windows programs).

FilExt.com tip: You can open a PRG file with a simple text editor when it contains source code. However, determining the correct software is key because many PRG files require specialized tools or emulators to run properly.

How to open a PRG file

You need a suitable software like VICE Emulator to open a PRG file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your PRG file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a PRG file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online PRG Text Viewer

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Programs that open and convert PRG files:

VICE Emulator
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. PRG files are often referred to as VICE Emulator developers because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
Atari ST (Program) by Infogrames Entertainment SA
The identifying characters used for this association are - Hex: 60 1A 00, ASCII: `. Related links: Use Steem Engine Emulator
Commodore
Almost all Commodore Executables written in BASIC employed this extension.
GEM Executable Program
Generic Program File
PRG is short for PROGRAM. PRG files contains executeable code or instruction. PRG files were used for BASIC programs on Commodore 64 or Atari. This file format is classified as OS.
OzWin CompuServe E-mail/Forum Access Purged Message File
PC-DMIS (Part Program File) by Wilcox Associates, Inc.
PC-DMIS is metrology software. Metrology is the science of measurement.
Program File
RPG Toolkit (Program Script) by Christopher Matthews
The RPG Toolkit is a development system for creating Role Playing Games. The Standard Edition is free. This file format is classified as Source Code.
SHARP MZ-series Emulator File
SpecEm Snapshot
WAVmaker Program
xBase Website (Code) by Mauricio Fragoso
PRG files use xBase syntax for website scripting purposes. This file format is classified as Source Code.

PRG file format:

If you can determine the file format, the associated program can also be determined. Often, the file format can be deduced from the file extension or the initial bytes (called the signature). File extension, signature and file format must match; otherwise errors will occur when the file is opened. Exact knowledge of the format is therefore important in order to solve problems occurring in files. In the following you will find our evaluation of the PRG files:

The PRG file extension is very common and covers a large number of different file formats. The following file formats are most commonly found in PRG files:

5% of all PRG files are associated with Commodore 64 BASIC V2 program. The contents of these files cannot be read by a human; only a computer program can interpret the data. PRG files can be up to 51 KB in size, but are often around 250 bytes - 21 KB. Such files are related to person-related data.
4% of all PRG files start with the magic bytes @EDIABAS OBJECT, which are always the first bytes of this file format. The content consists of illegible binary data, which can only be read and interpreted by the associated programs. PRG files are between 24 KB and 1 MB in size. The following keywords are characteristic: @EDIABAS OBJECT.

All other PRG files (91%) have no uniform format, the following 20 formats exist: Commodore VIC-20 BASIC V2 program, Commodore PET BASIC 4, The Print Shop Deluxe Rows Graphic, Commodore 128 BASIC V7, Commodore 65 BASIC V10, DOC, Source, EXE, XML, set and Prog. These files sometimes refer to customer, color, unlimited, power, program, pluindex, setup or pldt. Drag & drop your file here to see the file format and a preview of your PRG file!

Technical Data for PRG File Extension

File classification:

Developer

Related files:

bas, fxp, src, cmd, bat, pgr, fprg, prog, rpg, zip, c64, prj, ild, txt, fox, tar, exe, d64, check, koa, chk, sdb, wf1, rg, xml

Mime type:

application/octet-stream, text/plain

The following listing is compiled from the database produced by the 'Associate This!' program, selected data from the main FILExt database and file extension information submitted by users.

ProgramID: cta_extension_progid, FileType: Microsoft Picture It! Document, AppName: Dreamweaver MX

ProgramID: cta_extension_progid, FileType: Microsoft Picture It! Document, AppName: Picture It!
EXEFile: Pip.exe

ProgramID: cta_extension_progid
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Picture It! 2002\Pip.exe

ProgramID: cta_extension_progid
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Picture It! 2002\Pip.exe %1

ProgramID: EViews.Program
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Eviews4\EViews4.exe %1

ProgramID: Visual.FoxPro.Program
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\microsoft visual studio\vfp98\vfp6.exe -SHELL

ProgramID: Visual.FoxPro.Program.5
EXEFile: C:\DevStudio\VFP\VFP.EXE -SHELL

ProgramID: Visual.FoxPro.Program
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Visual FoxPro 8\vfp8.exe -SHELLOPEN %1

ProgramID: RPGCode Program.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Enterbrain\Toolkit3\toolkit3.exe %1

ProgramID: RPGCode Program.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Toolkit3\toolkit3.exe %1

ProgramID: Visual.FoxPro.Program
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Vfp9\vfp9.exe -SHELLOPEN

ProgramID: dBASEProgram
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\VISUALDB\BIN\dbasewin.exe

ProgramID: M2M.prgFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VFP\vfp8r.dll

Show all 13 listings To Top

a prg program file is a special file format and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with PRG files

Associate the PRG file extension with the correct application.
Update your software that should actually open program files. Because only the current version supports the latest PRG file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the manufacturer website after an available VICE Emulator update.
To make sure that your PRG file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
Click here to open your .PRG file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.