What is a .Z4 file?
The .Z4 file extension is used for a type of file called a Z-machine Z-code Version 4 File. This file is a Z-code file, which is a special kind of code used by a game engine called the Z-machine. The Z-machine was used to run text adventure games, which were very popular in the late 1970s and 1980s. These games are like interactive stories where players type commands to control the game.
The .Z4 file contains the source code for these text adventure games. This means it has all the instructions and data that the game needs to run. Although the Z-machine is no longer officially supported, there are still many programs called Z-machine interpreters that can run these games. These interpreters are maintained by community members who enjoy these classic games.
Some of the programs that can open .Z4 files include Zoom, Windows Frotz, and Spatterlight. There are also versions of these interpreters that work on different platforms like web browsers and Android devices, such as Parchment for web and Twisty for Android.
The Z-code files are written in a programming language known as the Zork Implementation Language, named after Infocom's first game, Zork. The file extensions for Z-code files, like .Z4, indicate the version of the Z-machine they are meant to be run on. There are several versions, ranging from .Z1 to .Z8, with .Z8 being the most advanced and the last version released.
In summary, a .Z4 file is a game file used by the Z-machine to run text-based adventure games. It contains all the game's code and can be opened using various Z-machine interpreters available for different devices and platforms.
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