What Is a .PDB File?

Twenty-four different computer applications use the PDB file extension.

Computer file extensions are not subject to copyright law and so many file extensions are used by several different applications for different file types. The PDB file extension is an example of this because 24 different file types use that same extension, although they have nothing else in common and are otherwise incompatible.

Database Files

• By convention file extensions are three- or four-letter abbreviations of the file type of the file to which they are attached, or of the application that uses that file. “DB” is a common abbreviation for “database” and so many different database applications store data with an abbreviation that includes the letters “DB.” Three database applications use the PDB file extension. These are Palmpilot Database, Pegasus DataBase and QuickPOS from Quicken.

  Four more applications use the PDB file for database files that support their main activity. Packrat 5.0, a now-defunct personal information manager, stored user data in a file with the PDB file extension. Visual C++/.NET Studio uses the extension for a program database file that holds information on the debugging and linking status of a program under development. BGBlitz, a computer backgammon game, uses the PDB file extension for a position database. Microsoft Linker has an input database file with the PBD file extension.

Molecular Data

• Several programs that aid the study of proteins and molecules use the PDB file extension, either for data files of for the graphical representation of molecular structure. Insight II (Brookhaven Protein Databand File), MDL Molfile (Protein DataBank), MolMol (Molecule Description File), Protein Databank (File) and Ribbons (Data) all fall into this group.

Image Files

• Four graphics and image editors use the PDB file extension for user output. These are MonkeyCard/ MonkeyLogo, PhotoDeluxe (Image), Pilot Image Format and TealPaint. Each has its own proprietary format and so the output files are not interchangeable.

Other File Types

• The final eight applications using the PDB file extensions have a range of purposes. Again, none of these file types are interchangeable.

  The Commodore C64 computer no longer exists. However, nostalgic enthusiasts still want to run their old program and they can run them on their PC by using a C64 Emulator, which uses the PDB file extension.

  PowerBASIC is a programming language and compiler that holds debugging information in a PDB file. Another programming language, PowerBuilder, stores dynamic libraries within a PDB file. Dynamic libraries are compiled programs that are only meant to be run as additions to other programs. PowerDesigner has the PDM file extension for its database, but a backup of that file has a PDB file extension. Powerproject Teamplan, formerly Power Project, is a project management application for the construction industry. One of its output files carry the PDB file extension. PalmDraft, an electronics drafting application for the Palm OS, uses the file extension for a schematic file. Apache Web server has a library file with the files extension and the Merriam-Webster Pocket Dictionary stores files with the PDB file extension.