The basic file type in VLISP is the
            AutoLISP source file. Typically, AutoLISP source files are named
            with an .lsp file extension. You have seen
            .lsp files
            used frequently in previous chapters. 
         
         The FAS (.fas) file type
            was introduced in the previous chapter, 
                     Building Applications FAS
            files are compiled AutoLISP files. These files load faster than
            AutoLISP source files and are more secure because their contents
            are not intelligible to users.
         
         Here is a brief summary of the types of files
            used by the VLISP project management feature:
         
            
               
                  
                  
                  
                  
                     Visual
                           LISP project file types
                         
                      | 
                  
                  
                     File ext. 
                      | 
                     Type of
                           file
                         
                      | 
                     Function 
                      | 
                  
                  
                     .fas 
                      | 
                     Compiled
                           AutoLISP code
                         
                      | 
                     Compiled AutoLISP programs. May be loaded and
                           run, or compiled into VLX modules
                         
                      | 
                  
                  
                     .lsp 
                      | 
                     AutoLISP
                           source code
                         
                      | 
                     Program source files 
                      | 
                  
                  
                     .ob 
                      | 
                     Object
                           code
                         
                      | 
                     Used internally
                           by VLISP, these files contain compiled AutoLISP code used in building
                           FAS files
                         
                      | 
                  
                  
                     .pdb 
                      | 
                     Project
                           database
                         
                      | 
                     Used
                           internally by VLISP, these files contain symbol information used
                           by the compiler
                         
                      | 
                  
                  
                     .prj 
                      | 
                     Project
                           definition
                         
                      | 
                     Contains the location and names of all
                           source files that build the project, as well as certain parameters
                           and rules on how to create the final FAS files
                         
                      | 
                  
               
            
          
         
         In
            addition to the files recognized by the project manager, VLISP either
            creates, processes, or recognizes a number of additional types of
            files, as summarized below:
         
            
               
                  
                  
                  
                  
                     Additional
                           Visual LISP file types
                         
                      | 
                  
                  
                     File ext. 
                      | 
                     Type of
                           file
                         
                      | 
                     Function 
                      | 
                  
                  
                     .dsk 
                      | 
                     Desktop
                           save
                         
                      | 
                     Contains
                           VLISP environment and window settings. (Note: Editing this file
                           may permanently change the VLISP environment. Do not edit this file
                           without creating a backup copy first.)
                         
                      | 
                  
                  
                     ._xx 
                      | 
                     Backup
                           files
                         
                      | 
                     Backup
                           copies of edited files, maintained by the VLISP editor. Backup files
                           contain the same name as the original, except that the file extension
                           begins with the underline character (_) and is followed by the first
                           two characters of the original file's extension. For example, the
                           backup file of a LSP file has an ._LS extension;
                           the backup of a DCL file has a ._DC extension.
                         
                      | 
                  
                  
                     .vlx 
                      | 
                     Stand-alone
                           applications 
                         
                      | 
                     Stand-alone AutoCAD applications,
                           which can be created using the VLISP Make Application wizard.
                         
                      | 
                  
                  
                     .c, .cpp, .cch, .hpp, .hh 
                      | 
                     Language
                           source files
                         
                      | 
                     Contain
                           program source code. The VLISP editor recognizes the syntax of these
                           files and color-codes reserved words, strings, and numbers.
                         
                      | 
                  
                  
                     .dcl 
                      | 
                     Dialog
                           control language
                         
                      | 
                     Contains
                           definitions of AutoCAD dialog boxes. VLISP can preview these
                           files, and you can include them in Visual LISP executable (VLX) files.
                         
                      | 
                  
                  
                     .prv 
                      | 
                     Make application 
                      | 
                     Defines
                           the files and options used to build a VLX application with the VLISP
                           Make Application wizard.
                         
                      | 
                  
                  
                     .sql 
                      | 
                     Structured
                           query language
                         
                      | 
                     Contains
                           SQL statements. The VLISP text editor recognizes this file type
                           and color-codes the text according to SQL syntax rules.
                         
                      |