What is the SC file format?
An .sc file is a plain-text source code file written in the SuperCollider programming language - a platform for audio synthesis, algorithmic composition, and live coding. In SuperCollider, .sc files hold class definitions compiled at startup by the interpreter sclang into its class library. This distinguishes them from .scd files, which are interactive documents evaluated on demand in the IDE.
Changing an .sc class file requires recompiling the entire class library (Language > Recompile Class Library), whereas .scd files evaluate immediately. Class definitions follow a ClassName { methodName { ... } } brace-block structure, with optional constructor methods, instance variables, and SynthDef, Pattern, or Server-interaction blocks. The SuperCollider language is object-oriented with Smalltalk-influenced syntax.
SuperCollider was created by James McCartney in 1996 and open-sourced in 2002 (version 3), when the .sc / .scd split became established. It is widely used in academic electroacoustic music, live-coding performance, and music technology research.
The .sc extension is also associated with the sc Unix spreadsheet program by Chuck Martin and occasionally with Scilab scripts, but both uses are rare compared to SuperCollider. Syntax highlighting is available in VS Code via sclang-vscode, Emacs via scel, and Vim via scvim.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWA .sc file is plain text and cannot execute itself when opened in a text editor or viewed as source. The risk arises if you EVALUATE the code in SuperCollider (Ctrl+Enter in scide): SuperCollider code can access the system (files, audio hardware) and run arbitrary code, so only evaluate .sc files from sources you trust. Class files placed in the Extensions folder are compiled and loaded automatically on SuperCollider startup.
Format details
in a nutshell- SC Spreadsheet (sc) - Classic Unix terminal-based spreadsheet program 'sc' (Chuck Martin, Oleo derivative) uses .sc for its spreadsheet files; still used on Unix/Linux.
- Scilab Script - Scilab (scientific computing) occasionally uses .sc, though .sci and .sce are the standard Scilab extensions.
- Framework II Display Driver (legacy) - Obsolete 1980s DOS configuration file for Selections & Functions Inc. Framework II; no modern relevance.
Programs that open SC files
Windows4 apps
Notepad
Open-source Opens .sc as plain text for reading/editing; no SuperCollider-specific features but useful for quick edits. 
SuperCollider (scide)
Open-source The official SuperCollider IDE - File > Open to load a .sc class file, or place it in your Extensions folder for automatic loading by sclang.
VS Code
Free Install the 'supercollider-ide' extension for syntax highlighting and IDE integration; edit .sc class files and evaluate code blocks. 
macOS3 apps
SuperCollider (scide)
Open-source Official IDE: open .sc files and manage the class library. The standard tool for SuperCollider development on macOS.
Emacs (with scel)
Open-source scel (SuperCollider Emacs extension) provides a SuperCollider coding environment within Emacs, popular with advanced users. 
Linux3 apps
SuperCollider (scide)
Open-source Install from your distro (supercollider package) or from GitHub; open .sc files and compile the class library.
VS Code
Free supercollider-ide VS Code extension for Linux, with syntax highlighting and sclang integration.
Vim / Neovim (with scvim)
Open-source The scvim plugin provides SuperCollider integration in Vim - send code blocks to sclang from the editor. Technical details
deep spec| Encoding | Plain text, UTF-8 |
| Byte order | Not applicable - text file |
| Container | None - plain text |
| Magic bytes | None - identified by extension and SuperCollider class syntax |
| Typical size | 100 bytes - 500 KB per class file; large extension libraries may include many .sc files |
| Language | SuperCollider - object-oriented, Smalltalk-influenced, with functional and reactive programming support |
| File role | Class definitions compiled by sclang at startup into the class library - not evaluated interactively like .scd documents |
| Compilation trigger | Entire SuperCollider class library is recompiled whenever any .sc file is added or changed |
| Class syntax | ClassName { methodName { ... } } brace-block structure; supports classvar, var, and *new constructor definitions |
| IDE support | SuperCollider IDE (scide), bundled with SuperCollider 3 (Windows, macOS, Linux); includes post window, server control, and class library recompile |
| Class library path | sclang compiles all .sc files found on the class library search path at startup, including the user extensions directory |
| Interpreter | sclang (SuperCollider language interpreter), cross-platform - Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Relation to .scd | .scd files are interactive documents for on-demand evaluation in the SuperCollider IDE; they do not define compiled classes |
| Released | 1996 (SuperCollider 1, James McCartney); .sc extension established with SuperCollider 2 / 3 |
| Latest version | SuperCollider 3.13.0 (2023) / ongoing active development |
| Open standard | Yes · royalty-free |
| Specification | supercollider.github.io |
SC conversions
Community Q&A
asked by usersNo questions yet - be the first to ask about SC files.
