What is a BEAM file?
A .BEAM file is most commonly a Compiled Erlang File. These files contain compiled bytecode that executes on the Erlang Virtual Machine. Developers generate these files when they compile source code written in the Erlang or Elixir programming languages. The original implementation of the BEAM virtual machine was developed by Ericsson.
Multiple meanings
The .BEAM extension has multiple possible meanings. Aside from developer files, a .BEAM file might also be a laser cutter project file used by the FLUX Beam Studio software. Alternatively, it can be a structural beam analysis file generated by DSN Software WinBeam.
How to open BEAM files?
If your file is a Compiled Erlang File, you execute it using the command-line tools provided by the Erlang/OTP environment. Code editors like Visual Studio Code can sometimes inspect these files if you install specific extensions, but they will not show human-readable text by default because the file contains binary bytecode. If the file is a laser cutter project, you need to open it with FLUX Beam Studio.
Best practices and troubleshooting
Because a .BEAM file can represent entirely different data structures, you must identify the correct format before you try to use it. Attempting to open a compiled developer file in laser cutter software will fail. Do not invent certainty about the file content just based on the extension.
How viewer.online helps
If you are not sure what your file contains, viewer.online/beam can analyze .BEAM files to identify the exact format and creator software, inspect the file structure, extract readable text, and check whether an online preview is available.
Summary
In summary, viewer.online/beam is useful for identifying, inspecting, and understanding .BEAM files without installing software or dealing with compatibility problems.