What is a .A file?
A .a file is a Unix static library - an ar archive of compiled object files.
- Did you know
- The ar archiver is among the oldest Unix tools, used to bundle compiled code into libraries.
- Many .a libraries carry a built-in symbol table, historically added by the ranlib tool, so the linker can find code without scanning every member.
- The ar archiver predates ELF and shared libraries, and the same format was once even used for general file bundling on early Unix.
- What Analyser reads
- Read software packages and Unix archive streams: Python wheels, NuGet, Chrome/Firefox/VS Code extensions, Electron ASAR, Windows APPX/MSIX, Debian (DEB), RPM, RubyGems, conda, Anki, Microsoft CAB, cpio, Unix ar and Microsoft COFF libraries (.lib - telling a static library apart from a DLL import library, with the target architecture and the DLLs it binds to) - showing name, version, dependencies and the file tree.
- Depth of analysis
- .A is an identification-grade format: Analyser recognises it from its bytes and decodes the header metadata it carries, rather than opening it in a full viewer. Formats that do get a full viewer are marked "Full" on the formats page.
- Open a .A file
- Drag a .A file onto the Analyser home page (or tap to pick one). It is identified entirely in your browser - nothing is uploaded, there is no account, and it works offline once installed.