Problem
You wish to know what the common JAWS file types and what
they do within Freedom Scientific JAWS software.
Applies to
- JAWS
Resolution
JAWS is a highly sophisticated and configurable screen
reader. It uses various different types
of file to store data about those configuration settings. The below files except those specific to a
speech synthesizer are valid user configuration or files that can comprise a script set for an application.
.JCF – JAWS configuration file
.JDF - JAWS dictionary
file
.JGF – JAWS graphic label file
.JKM - JAWS
keyboard map
.JSD – JAWS script documentation file
.JFF – JAWS frame file
.JSM – JAWS message file
.JSB – JAWS script binary file
.JSH – JAWS script help file
.JSI – JAWS script INI settings
Speech synthesiser files
.SBL – Synthesiser symbols file
.VPF – Voice profile file
.JCF – JAWS configuration file
The JCF file stores basic JAWS settings including speech
settings. The default.jcf in a user
settings file will contain settings the user has configured for speech
synthesiser. In most case there is little
need to separate JCF files for different applications and may well cause
problems. If speech appears to change rate or another voice is used when that is not intended when switching to a specific application it is likely to be an application JCF that may be causing the problem.
.JDF - JAWS dictionary file
This type of file stores any pronunciation changes necessary
for JAWS to correctly say certain words.
This can be added to in the default.jcf file for use in all applications
or in an application file instead where the word application in the filename is
substituted with the EXE name of the application.
.JGF – JAWS graphic label file
This file stores any labels for graphic icons that have
been saved.
.JKM - JAWS keyboard map
This file is used to map any script functions in a script
file set to assigned hotkeys.
.JSD – JAWS script documentation file
This file is a script documentation file, it is only of
interest when creating a set of scripts and allows the developer to provide
documentation for any functions they write.
.JFF – JAWS frame file
This file is used for the frames feature that allows you
to set specific areas of the screen to be read using a keystroke or when specific
criteria are met.
.JSM – JAWS message file
This file contains messages that may be spoken in
relation to a particular script set.
.JSB – JAWS script binary file
This file is a JAWS script binary file, it is generated
when compiling a script set for an application.
.JSH – JAWS script help file
This file is a script header file. It contains data about constants that are
used in a set of script files.
.JSI – JAWS script INI settings
This type of file stores initialisation settings, typically
for personalised settings related to applications or websites.
.JSS
This file is a JAWS script source file which may be part of a script set. The JSS file itself contains readable source code consisting of script-lets for an assigned hotkey or script functions. You cannot recompile a set of scripts without the JSS file, however provided the JSB and related files are still present this will still be a valid script set.
.SBL
This file is a synthesizer symbol file. This file is specific to the selected speech engine
being used. It contains names tor typographical
symbols used. Default sets for each
synthesiser are kept in the following path:
C:\ProgramData\Freedom Scientific\JAWS\2024\SETTINGS
.VPF
These are voice profile files for speech engines a
default set is type in the path:
C:\ProgramData\Freedom
Scientific\JAWS\2024\SETTINGS\VoiceProfiles
Voice profiles for each installed speech synthesiser are
stored under the users profile here:
%AppData%\Freedom
Scientific\JAWS\2024\Settings\VoiceProfiles
JAWS installs a profile for Eloquence synthesizer Eloquence.VPF