Question

extension *.idx

Asked by: Lubash

I found in a folder hundred of files with extension *.idx . Does anyone knows what they are?

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Asked On
2002-12-10 at 02:41:34ID20420790
Tags

extension

,

idx

,

file

Topic

Miscellaneous Software

Participating Experts
6
Points
50
Comments
17

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Answers

 

by: slink9Posted on 2002-12-10 at 03:10:45ID: 7558962

index files.  They could be from any number of applications, though.
http://filext.com/i.htm

 

by: bmoscatoPosted on 2002-12-10 at 03:12:58ID: 7558969

As per Microsoft *.idx = Index, compact index.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/fox7help/html/confile_extensions_and_file_types.asp

Here is the other file descriptions as per microsoft.

.act Documenting Wizard action diagram
.app Generated application or Active Document
.cdx Compound index
.chm Compiled HTML Help
.dbc Database
.dbf Table
.dbg Debugger configuration
.dct Database memo
.dcx Database index
.dll Windows Dynamic Link Library
.err Compilation error
.esl Visual FoxPro support library
.exe Executable program
.fky Macro
.fll Visual FoxPro Dynamic Link Library
.fmt Format File
.fpt Table memo
.frt Report memo
.frx Report
.fxp Compiled program
.h Header file (for inclusion in a Visual FoxPro or C/C++ program)
.hlp WinHelp
.htm HTML
.idx Index, compact index
.lbt Label memo
.lbx Label
.log Coverage log
.lst Documenting Wizard list
.mem Variable save
.mnt Menu memo
.mnx Menu
.mpr Generated menu program
.mpx Compiled menu program
.ocx ActiveX control
.pjt Project memo
.pjx Project
.prg Program
.qpr Generated query program
.qpx Compiled query program
.sct Form memo
.scx Form
.spr Generated Screen Program (previous versions of FoxPro only)
.spx Compiled Screen Program (previous versions of FoxPro only)
.tbk Memo backup
.txt Text
.vct Visual class library memo
.vcx Visual class library
.vue FoxPro 2.x view
.win Window file

Bryan

 

by: bmoscatoPosted on 2002-12-10 at 03:16:59ID: 7558977

Also, *.IDX can relate to these file types:

IDX Relational database index (Microsoft Fox Pro)
IDX Relational database index (Symantec Q&A)
IDX Microsoft Outlook Express file
IDX Index file (Microsoft Clip Gallery v. 1.x)
IDX Index (various)
IDX Corel QuickFinder Information

Bryan

 

by: slink9Posted on 2002-12-10 at 03:47:34ID: 7559083

The best way to decide what these belong to is look at what files other than IDX are there.  Let us know what else is there and maybe we can tell you what is creating these files.

 

by: patrickab2Posted on 2002-12-10 at 05:23:35ID: 7559445

.idx files are usually created by a whole variety of database engines to allow fast searching. Generally when data is entered into a database it is in a random order and yet the chances are you want look at it in a more logical order once you have entered it into the database. So an 'INDex' file is created which enables this fast searching. In most databases you can elect to switch indexing on or off. With fast pc's these days 'on' is the default. It is possible to delete some index files and the database will just re-create them but my strong advice is don't touch them.

Hope this helps

 

by: patrickab2Posted on 2002-12-10 at 06:17:13ID: 7559670

That is unless you are absolutely certain they are not wanted by ANY application.

 

by: slink9Posted on 2002-12-10 at 13:09:45ID: 7562135

Explain please.  What is the difference between my answer and the accepted answer?  It has more words but says the exact same thing.
Also, why a B?  You got an exact answer to your question.

 

by: LubashPosted on 2002-12-10 at 23:56:32ID: 7564518

I'm sorry if I made some mistake but I'm brand new about this kind of site and moreover I'm not english-tongue, so probably I didn't understand very well whay I had to do, I just gave the right answer to the first one. May I give it to more than one?

 

by: patrickab2Posted on 2002-12-11 at 01:08:40ID: 7564769

Sure two people said they are index files but neither of you said what they do. Your answers were cryptic and not too helpful to someone who doesn't know what an .idx file is. And yet a cryptic answer got the points. Oh well, there's no pleasing some people. Win some, lose some.

 

by: slink9Posted on 2002-12-11 at 03:26:36ID: 7565255

The request was for "what they are."  We both answered that request.  Actually, the first answer was ine with a link to a listing that stated what I said about not being able to tell exactly what they belong to just because they have the extension IDX.
If the questioner had responded with other files in that directory we could have narrowed down what program these are from (if not hitting it exactly).  That didn't happen.  As far as what IDX files do, that was not in the question.
Lubash, you don't have to accept the first answer if it doesn't actually solve your inquiry.  This is an interactive site.  You ask a question, we give you input, you give us feedback and clarify some points of your question.  By the way, welcome aboard.

 

by: patrickab2Posted on 2002-12-11 at 04:24:13ID: 7565444

slink9 - you are of course correct - but you can't blame me for commenting! I hope I'm allowed to do that.

 

by: slink9Posted on 2002-12-11 at 05:38:17ID: 7565749

Not a problem.  Comments are expected and accepted, just as input about your comment should be expected and acccepted.

 

by: mvhoornPosted on 2003-02-24 at 12:32:24ID: 8011134

Hi,

IDX files are (sometimes) generated by DVD rippers.

They can be removed safely.

Best regards

 

by: patrickabPosted on 2003-02-25 at 02:01:01ID: 8015402

mvhoorn - I guess you are correct about DVD rippers generating .idx files but I think your assertion that.idx files can be safely removed is a bit of a generalisation. .idx files are created by many different applications, usually an app that needs to keep an index of some sort of database (simple and/or complex) so to delete all .idx files could have significant consequences. In certain instances I am sure you are correct but I believe you would need to be certain what had created them. Mind you many app re-create them each and every time they are run so in those instances the deletion of .idx files makes little or no difference to them. The problem is knowing which is which!

 

by: mogcaizPosted on 2003-02-26 at 12:26:59ID: 8028279

Just recently I found 1289 idx files in my Program Files folder. I had no idea what it was.
Those files didn't take more than 60kb all togheter.
I friend told me those files could belong to my anti-virus program, but why it was in Program Files didn't he know.
The funny thing was it wasn't any other files that were related to this idx files in the same folder.
Should I just delet them?

 

by: patrickabPosted on 2003-02-27 at 02:58:50ID: 8032573

My slightly over-cautious solution would be to move them all to a different sub-directory. If then an application requires them, at least you will be able to restore them easily.

As an alternative I suppose if you delete them all they should end up in the 'wastebin' so provided you do not 'empty' the wastebin they are actually more easily restored to their original locations from there as there is a built-in restore function.

Others may have other suggestions.

 

by: mvhoornPosted on 2003-03-02 at 04:52:55ID: 8051548

patrickab, your right. With "they" I ment the .IDX files generated by a DVD ripper. If one did not used such software a more cautions approach is needed.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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