M, Objective-C Implementation File (.m)

The M Developer file format

Files with the simple M extension contain code written in the Objective-C programming language. It is commonly used for the implementation of classes. The Apple operating systems Mac OS X and iOS (for iPhone, iPad, etc.) use Objective-C as one of the most common programming languages for the implementation of apps.

Technical details of M files

M files save the Objective-C code it contains in a plain text format. Since it is used for the implementation of applications, the initial directive inside the M file is "@implementation". What M files do is initializing all necessary functions and variables inside the file. These functions and variables are often times referenced by other files written in Objective-C as well as header files.

More information about the M file format

File extension .m
File category Developer
Associated programs Apple compiler (Linux)
Apple Xcode (Mac)
Bare Bones BBEdit (Mac)
GNU Compiler Collection (Mac & Linux)
gVim (Windows)
jEdit (Windows, Mac & Linux)
MacroMates TextMate (Mac)
MacVim (Mac)
Richardson EditRocket (Windows, Mac & Linux)
Stepstone compiler (Linux)
Vim (Linux)
Useful links More Information from Apple about M files
Developer Apple