What is CFG?

CFG (.cfg) files are generic configuration files that store application settings in plain text. The format varies by application - some use key=value pairs, others use custom syntax. CFG files are common in games (config.cfg), servers (apache.cfg), network devices, and development tools.

Unlike INI files which have a semi-standard structure, CFG files can follow any format the application defines. This flexibility makes them popular for software that needs custom configuration syntax.

Did you know? Many games use .cfg files for advanced settings not available in the UI!

History

The .cfg extension has been used since early computing for configuration files. It became popular as a generic alternative to format-specific extensions like .ini or .conf.

Key Milestones

  • 1980s: Unix systems use various config formats
  • 1990s: .cfg popular in DOS/Windows applications
  • 2000s: Games adopt .cfg for user customization
  • 2010s: Network devices standardize on .cfg
  • Present: Remains popular for application settings

Key Features

Core Capabilities

  • Plain Text: Human-readable format
  • Flexible Syntax: Application-defined structure
  • Comments: Usually supported (varies)
  • Key-Value Pairs: Common pattern
  • Multi-line Values: Often supported
  • No Dependencies: Text editor is enough

Common Use Cases

Game Settings

Graphics, controls, audio

Server Config

Web servers, databases

Network Devices

Routers, switches

Applications

Software preferences

Advantages

  • Simple text format
  • Easy to edit manually
  • Version control friendly
  • Flexible structure
  • No special tools needed
  • Cross-platform compatible

Disadvantages

  • No standard format (varies by app)
  • Easy to introduce syntax errors
  • Limited validation
  • No data type enforcement
  • Documentation required

Technical Information

Format Specifications

Specification Details
File Extension .cfg
MIME Type text/plain
Format Type Configuration
Encoding ASCII or UTF-8
Structure Application-defined
Comments Varies by application

Common Tools

  • Editors: Notepad++, VS Code, vi/vim
  • Validators: Application-specific
  • Management: Config management tools