.MARKDOWN File Extension
Markdown Documentation File
| Developer | John Gruber |
| Popularity | |
| Category | Developer Files |
| Format | .MARKDOWN |
| Cross Platform | Update Soon |
What is an MARKDOWN file?
Markdown Documentation Files often denoted with the .MARKDOWN file extensions, are plain text files that utilize Markdown syntax for formatting.
Markdown is a lightweight markup language with plain-text formatting syntax, designed to be easy to read and write while still allowing for the transformation into structurally valid HTML.
These files typically contain documentation, notes, or content that needs to be formatted for web publishing or other digital platforms.
More Information.
The initial purpose of Markdown Documentation Files was to provide a simple yet effective way for writers and developers to create formatted content without the need for complex HTML tags.
It aimed to streamline the writing process, allowing individuals to focus more on the content itself rather than worrying about intricate formatting details.
Over time, Markdown gained popularity not only among writers but also among programmers and web developers.
Its simplicity and versatility made it a preferred choice for creating documentation, README files, blog posts, and even entire websites.
Origin Of This File.
John Gruber and Aaron Swartz created Markdown in 2004 with the primary goal of enabling people to write using an easy-to-read and easy-to-write plain text format, which could be converted into structurally valid HTML.
The Markdown syntax was inspired by existing conventions for marking up plain text in email, which included features like asterisks for emphasis and indentation for blockquoting.
File Structure Technical Specification.
Markdown Documentation Files are plain text files with a specific syntax for formatting. The syntax includes various symbols and conventions to denote formatting elements such as headings, lists, links, and emphasis.
Here’s a brief overview of some common Markdown syntax:
- Headings: Denoted by one or more hash (#) symbols at the beginning of a line.
- Lists: Both ordered (numbered) and unordered (bulleted) lists are supported.
- Links: Enclosed in square brackets [] followed by the URL in parentheses ().
- Emphasis: Italics are denoted by wrapping text in asterisks (*) or underscores (_), while bold is indicated by double asterisks or underscores.
- Code blocks: Enclosed in triple backticks (“`) for multiline code blocks or single backticks (`) for inline code.
Markdown files can also include HTML elements directly, allowing for greater flexibility in formatting.
How to Convert the File?
Converting Markdown Documentation Files to other formats like HTML or PDF is straightforward, thanks to various online conversion tools and utilities. Some popular methods for conversion include:
- Markdown Editors: Many text editors and integrated development environments (IDEs) include built-in support for Markdown with options to export to HTML or other formats.
- Command-Line Tools: Command-line tools like Pandoc provide powerful conversion capabilities, allowing you to convert Markdown files to a wide range of formats.
- Online Converters: Numerous online converters offer quick and easy conversion of Markdown files to HTML, PDF, DOCX, and other formats.
Advantages And Disadvantages.
Advantages:
- Simplicity: Markdown syntax is intuitive and easy to learn, requiring only a basic understanding of text formatting.
- Portability: Markdown files are plain text files, making them compatible with any text editor and easily transferable between different platforms.
- Versatility: Markdown can be used for a wide range of purposes, from writing documentation to creating web content and presentations.
- Readability: Markdown files are human-readable even in their raw form, making collaboration and version control more manageable.
Disadvantages:
- Limited Formatting: While Markdown covers most basic formatting needs, it lacks the sophistication of more advanced markup languages like HTML or LaTeX.
- Complex Tables: Creating complex tables in Markdown can be challenging and may require resorting to HTML.
- Dependency on Renderers: The appearance of Markdown files may vary depending on the renderer used to convert them to HTML or other formats.
How to Open MARKDOWN?
Open In Windows
- Notepad: Built-in text editor in Windows. Simply double-click on the Markdown file to open it.
- Visual Studio Code: A popular code editor with built-in Markdown support. Download and install Visual Studio Code, then open the Markdown file using it.
- Atom: Another text editor with Markdown support. Install Atom and use it to open Markdown files.
Open In Linux
- Gedit: Default text editor in many Linux distributions. Open Gedit and then open the Markdown file from the File menu.
- Vim: A powerful terminal-based text editor. Open the terminal, navigate to the directory containing the Markdown file, and type
vim filename.mdto open it. - Emacs: Another versatile text editor. Open Emacs and use it to open the Markdown file.
Open In MAC
- TextEdit: Built-in text editor in macOS. Simply double-click on the Markdown file to open it.
- Visual Studio Code: As with Windows, Visual Studio Code is available for macOS and can be used to open Markdown files.
- Sublime Text: A popular text editor with Markdown support. Download and install Sublime Text, then open the Markdown file using it.
Open In Android
- Markor: A versatile text editor for Android with Markdown support. Download and install Markor from the Google Play Store, then use it to open Markdown files stored on your device.
- iA Writer: A minimalist writing app with Markdown support. Install iA Writer from the Google Play Store and use it to open Markdown files.
Open In IOS
- iA Writer: Available on iOS as well, iA Writer is a great choice for opening and editing Markdown files on iPhones and iPads.
- Byword: Another popular writing app for iOS with Markdown support. Download and install Byword from the App Store to open Markdown files on your iOS device.
