Opening a BB File

The BB file type is primarily associated with UCSC Genome Browser.

BBFile Extension BB
File extension: BB
File type:  binary file

What is a BB file?

BB files mostly belong to UCSC Genome Browser. BB files can represent several distinct data formats. The dominant use is the bigBed file format that stores genomic annotation data in a binary form. This design supports fast random access to large sets of DNA-related information. Tools such as bigBedToBed and the UCSC Genome Browser are used to view and convert these files.
Other uses of BB files include:
  • MDickie game data file: A format used by MDickie games to hold game-related information.
  • Ettus Research baseband file: A binary file that contains SDR baseband signal data for use with Ettus USRP Hardware Driver. More details are available on the Ettus Research GitHub page.
  • Burp Bounty file: A JSON-based file that stores profiles for Burp Suite Intruder. Further information can be seen at Burp Suite.
  • FilExt.com note: Each version of a BB file is defined by its internal structure. This means that opening the file requires the correct specialized software or viewer based on its source and purpose.

    How can I open a BB file?

    You need a suitable software like UCSC Genome Browser to open a BB 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 BB file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a BB file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

    Online BB Text Viewer

    Choose your .bb file to analyze

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    Programs that open and convert BB files:

    1. UCSC Genome Browser
      See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. BB files are often referred to as UCSC Genome Browser data files because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
    2. Art-lantis (Billboard Management File) by ABVENT
      An ArchiCAD add-on. Related links: ArchiCAD by Graphisoft
    3. bigBed Track Format (Genome File) by genome.ucsc.edu
      BB files contains data about genes and chromosomal positions. The bigBed format stores annotation items that can be either a simple or a linked collection of exons, much as BED files do. BED (Browser Extensible Data) format provides a flexible way to define the data lines that are displayed in an annotation track. BigBed files are created from BED type files using the program bedToBigBed. The resulting bigBed files are in an indexed binary format. The main advantage of the bigBed files is that only those portions of the files needed to display a particular region are transferred to the Genome Browser server. Because of this, bigBed has considerably faster display performance than regular BED when working with large data sets. The bigBed file remains on your local web-accessible server (http, https, or ftp), not on the UCSC server, and only the portion that is needed for the currently displayed chromosomal position is locally cached as a "sparse file". This file format is classified as Data.
    4. Blitz3D/Max/Plus (Source Code) by Blitz Research Ltd.
      Blitz3D is a 3D games programming language. This file format is classified as Source Code.
    5. BrowserBob (Project File) by BrowserBob weblications
      BrowserBob let's you create standalone programs based on the widespread set of different web technologies, which can be integrated and interact with software you create with BrowserBob.
    6. gcc -ftest-coverage
      Typically lower case on *nix systems.
    7. Papyrus Database Backup
    8. Starfleet Battles DOS Game

    BB file format:

    Why is it important to know the file format? This is the only way to find out which program to use to open the file. The file format can be determined based on the file extension and the signature (the first few characters of a file). However, different programs can use the same file extension. Furthermore, a file extension can be renamed incorrectly and double-clicking on it will then display an error when it is opened. So a detailed analysis of a file is vital in order to determine the format and the associated program. In the following you will find our evaluation of the BB files:

    The BB file extension is not widely used. Such a file includes different formats for different programs. However, the following two file formats are common:

    All the rest of the BB files (55%) have different formats. If you want to find out what your BB file contains, drag and drop it onto this page.

    Technical Data for BB File Extension

    File classification:
    Data
    Related files:
    bed, bbi, bw, bb-package-info, bb-log-info, bb-package-sig, bigbed, bbb, dd, ico, wav, zip, exe, png, db, dat, json

    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: Blitz
    EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Blitz3DDemo\blitzbasic.exe %1

    ProgramID: Blitz
    EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Idigicon Ltd\Blitz Basic Demo\blitzbasic.exe %1


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

    How to solve problems with BB files

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