ELF file extension, an acronym for Executable and Linkable Format, is a common standard file extension used for executable, object code, core dumps and shared libraries. It was being chosen as the standard binary file format for Unix and Unix-based systems. Over the time, ELF format had replaced older versions of executable formats in different environments. It is flexible in design and is not bounded to a particular architecture or processor. Hence, this factor has allowed this file to be adopted by different OS on various platforms.

It comes under the category of Program Executable Files.

• Unix and Linux systems as well as gaming consoles like as Sony PlayStation & Dreamcast

• It was introduced by UNIX System Laboratories

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The ELF file can be easily opened using Unix and Linux based systems or applications from which it is created.