What is an HRL file?
An .HRL file has multiple possible meanings. Most commonly, it is an Erlang Header File used in the Erlang/OTP programming language created by Ericsson. These files contain code definitions and macros.
An .HRL file can also be a compressed Erlang trace log file. This file uses the GZIP compression format to store trace data.
In server environments, an .HRL file can be a Hyper-V Replica log file used by Microsoft Windows Server. It tracks changes to virtual machines. Finally, some .HRL files are heart rate log files used by sports applications like Relive or HRL Player.
How to open HRL files?
You can open an Erlang Header File with any text editor, such as Visual Studio Code or Notepad++. To read an Erlang trace log file, you need the Erlang/OTP environment. For Hyper-V Replica logs, system administrators use Hyper-V Manager.
Best practices and troubleshooting
Because the .HRL extension belongs to different software, you must identify the correct format first. A standard text editor will show clear code for a header file, but random symbols for a compressed log file. Do not rename the file extension to fix compatibility issues.
viewer.online/hrl analyzes .HRL files to identify their exact format and creator software, shows which programs can open the file, and usually previews it. Since an .HRL file has multiple possible meanings, we recommend using viewer.online/hrl to identify the actual format of your file.
Summary
Because .HRL files use the known GZIP format, viewer.online/hrl can safely open and display them online, eliminating compatibility problems.