What is the commonly used file extension for compressed archives?

The commonly used file extension for compressed archives is .zip. This format allows users to compress one or more files into a single file, thereby reducing the overall size of the files for easier storage and quicker transfer. The .zip format supports various compression algorithms and is widely recognized across different operating systems, ensuring compatibility for users looking to share compressed files.

The popularity of the .zip format stems from its ability to encapsulate multiple files and folders into a single package while maintaining the directory structure. This makes it straightforward for users to manage collections of files. Additionally, most operating systems provide built-in support for creating and extracting .zip files, making it an accessible option for users without the need for specialized software.

Other file extensions listed, such as .bin and .exe, serve different purposes, with .bin typically used for binary files and .exe for executable files. Additionally, .tar is primarily used in Unix and Linux environments to create archive files without compression, which can then be further compressed using compression tools, but it does not represent a compressed archive by itself. This distinguishes .zip as the most common and user-friendly option for compressed archives.