What is a .VDF file?
A .VDF file is a type of data file used by Valve's Source game engine, which is the software framework used for developing games like Half-Life 2 and Counter-Strike. This file format contains important game information such as data for game resources, installation and configuration scripts, and elements for how the game looks (visualization elements).
The .VDF file format is structured in Valve's KeyValues format. This format organizes data in a way that pairs a key with a value, and these pairs are arranged in a hierarchical structure, similar to how data is structured in formats like JSON and YAML, which are common data formats that make it easy to read and organize data.
You can encounter .VDF files mainly when you are installing games that are distributed through Valve's Steam gaming platform. Although these files are primarily intended to be used by the game engine, you can also open them using simple text editors to view their contents. Programs that can open .VDF files include the Valve Source SDK, which is specifically designed for working with Source engine games. Additionally, basic text editors like Microsoft Notepad, which is included with most operating systems, or any other text editor can also be used to open and view the contents of .VDF files.
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