What is a HS file?
The .HS file extension most commonly represents a Haskell Source Code file. Haskell is a purely functional programming language. Developers use .HS files to write and store program logic. These files are saved in plain text.
However, the .HS extension is shared by several other programs. It can be a laser marking design file used by Han's Laser Software, typically saved in UTF-16 format. It can also be a historical process data log used by Wonderware InTouch HMI, which is often compressed using GZIP. Less commonly, it might be a Java HelpSet file from Sun Microsystems or a Motorola Flash Flex file.
How to open HS files?
If your .HS file contains Haskell code, you can open it with any standard text editor, such as Notepad++ or Visual Studio Code. To compile and run the code, you will need the Glasgow Haskell Compiler (GHC).
If the file is a Han's Laser marking file or a Wonderware data log, it requires the original proprietary software to open and function correctly. Because these files are binary or compressed, opening them in a basic text editor will show unreadable characters.
Best practices and troubleshooting
Because .HS files have multiple possible meanings, it is important to know the file's origin. If a text editor fails to display readable code, do not force changes to the file extension. The file might be compressed data or formatted for specialized industrial software.
Summary
viewer.online/hs can analyze .HS files to identify the exact format and creator software, inspect the file structure, extract readable text, and check whether an online preview is available. This makes it highly useful for identifying, inspecting, and understanding .HS files without installing software or dealing with compatibility problems.