What Is a DMA File?

An IBM program uses a DMA file as a module archive

What to Know

  • A DMA file is a module archive that opens with Rational DOORS.
  • Convert to other formats with that same program.

This article explains the different file formats that use the DMA file extension, including how to open the specific DMA file you have, and how to convert your file to a different file format.

What Is a DMA File?

A file with the DMA file extension is most likely a DOORS module archive created with IBM Rational DOORS. If your file isn't in that format, our next best guess is that it's a DMOD audio file.

DMA files in Windows 10

DMA also stands for Direct Memory Access, which is the name given to the process of data skipping the CPU and transferring directly out of RAM to a peripheral device. Direct Memory Access has nothing to do with files that end in the DMA extension.

How to Open a DMA File

DOORS module archives can be opened with IBM Rational DOORS. DMA files that were created in an older version of the software should be able to open in newer versions through the File > Restore > Module menu.

You can play a DMOD audio file using UltraPlayer. The VLC program supports a lot of audio and video formats, so you might try that application if UltraPlayer doesn't work.

VLC doesn't associate itself with DMA files, so you can't just double-click the file and expect VLC to start using it. Instead, you'll need to open VLC and use its Media menu to browse for the file. Just be sure to select the All Files option while browsing for it so that it'll see the file.

Other free audio players or editors may be able to open these types of DMA files, too, so if you have another audio player on your computer you might want to try it as well.

If you still can't open the DMA file, try using a free text editor. If the file is composed entirely of normal-looking text, then your DMA file is just a text file. Otherwise, see if you can find some text somewhere within the file that could help identify the format it's in or what program was used to create it.

How to Convert a DMA File

IBM Rational DOORS can export a DMA file to a different format that can then be used in other programs like DoorScope.

Most audio files can be converted to a new format with a free audio converter, but we don't know of any that support the DMA format. You might be able to open the file with VLC and then use the Media > Convert / Save menu option to convert it to a more popular format.

Another "conversion" option that isn't technically converting, is to just rename the .DMA file extension to something else, like .MP3. It's possible that this file is actually in the MP3 format, but is just renamed with the DMA suffix.

Still Can't Open It?

If your file isn't opening with any of these programs, check that you're reading the file extension correctly. It's possible you don't really have a DMA file, but instead a file whose extension just looks like it says "DMA."

DMDMC, and DMG are a few examples. DAM is another that shares all three of the same letters as DMA files but is in an entirely different format; it could be an analysis model that opens with DeltaMaster or a DAME project file.

DOORS uses other compressed formats, but they might not work the same way DMA files do. Some examples include project archives (.DPA) and user archives (.DUA).

If you find that you don't really have a DMA file, research the real file extension to see if you can find a program or website that can open or convert the file.

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