File types
The IAR development tools use the following default filename extensions to identify the produced files and other recognized file types:
Ext. | Type of file | Output from | Input to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Library | iarchive | ILINK |
| Assembler source code | Text editor | Assembler |
| Windows command batch file | C-SPY | Windows |
| Configuration file for flash loader | Text editor | C-SPY |
| C source code | Text editor | Compiler |
| C++ source code | Text editor | Compiler |
| Syntax coloring configuration | Text editor | IDE |
| Call graph file | ILINK | – |
| Online help system file | ‑‑ | IDE |
| Camomile plugin for C-STAT checks | Ocaml | C-STAT |
| C++ source code | Text editor | Compiler |
| C++ source code | Text editor | Compiler |
| C-RUN filter settings | IDE | IDE |
| Invocation file for | C-SPY | – |
| C++ source code | Text editor | Compiler |
| C++ source code | Text editor | Compiler |
| Macros for formatting of STL containers | IDE | IDE |
| Debugger desktop settings | C-SPY | C-SPY |
| Device description file | Text editor | C-SPY |
| Dependency information | IDE | IDE |
| Cached versions of the device selection files | Text editor | IDE |
| Device-specific C-SPY macro | Text editor | C-SPY |
| Debugger initialization file | C-SPY | C-SPY |
| Project settings for C-SPY | IDE | IDE |
| IAR Embedded Workbench project (current version) | IDE | IDE |
| IDE description file for plugin modules | ‑‑ | IDE |
| Project settings for C-STAT and C-RUN | IDE | IDE |
| Workspace file | IDE | IDE |
| Configuration file for flash loader | Text editor | C-SPY |
| Flash loader redirection specification | Text editor | C-SPY |
| Formatting information for the Locals and Watch windows | IDE | IDE |
| C/C++ or assembler header source | Text editor | Compiler or assembler |
| Help menu configuration file | Text editor | IDE |
| HTML document | Text editor | IDE |
| Preprocessed source | Compiler | Compiler |
| Device selection file | Text editor | IDE |
| Linker configuration file | Text editor | ILINK |
| Assembler header source | Text editor | Assembler |
| Project configuration | IDE | – |
| Log information | IDE | – |
| List output | Compiler and assembler | – |
| C-SPY macro definition | Text editor | C-SPY |
| Camomile binary database file | Ocaml | C-STAT |
| Device selection file | Text editor | IDE |
| Compiled IDE strings | — | IDE |
| Object module | Compiler and assembler | ILINK |
| Target application | ILINK | EPROM, C-SPY, etc. |
| Target application with debug information | ILINK | C-SPY and other symbolic debuggers |
| CMSIS-Pack package file | Software vendors | CMSIS-Pack pack manager |
| Debug probe configuration file | Text editor | C-SPY |
| User-defined register group configuration | IDE | IDE |
| Assembler source code | Text editor | Assembler |
| Special function register definitions | Text editor | C-SPY |
| Simple code formatted input for the flash loader | C-SPY | C-SPY |
| Stack usage control file | Text editor | ILINK |
| System View Description | Text editor | C-SPY |
| Visual State project files | IAR Visual State Editor | IAR Visual State Editor and IAR Embedded Workbench IDE |
| Workspace desktop settings | IDE | IDE |
| Main IDE window placement information | IDE | IDE |
| Extended command line | Text editor | Assembler, compiler, linker, cspybat, source browser |
When you run the IDE, some files are created and located in dedicated directories under your project directory—by default they are $PROJ_DIR$\Debug, $PROJ_DIR$\Release, and $PROJ_DIR$\settings. You can safely remove any output directories based on build configurations, like $PROJ_DIR$\Debug, $PROJ_DIR$\Release. They will be regenerated from source code and configuration files when you rebuild your project.
However, the $PROJ_DIR$\settings directory contains settings for, for example, visibility and position for windows, custom C-SPY register group definitions, and breakpoints to restore for the next debug session. If you remove this directory, the IDE will revert to the default settings.