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An .asc file is a GPG file in ASCII armor — Base64-encoded text instead of raw binary. It starts with `-----BEGIN PGP MESSAGE-----` (encrypted), `-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----` (signed), or `-----BEGIN PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK-----` (public key). The content is functionally identical to a .gpg file, just encoded for safe transport through text-only channels.
ASCII armor exists because email, web forms, and chat systems can mangle binary data. By encoding in Base64 with clear text markers, ASC files survive copy-paste, email transport, and web posting intact. GPG public keys on keyservers, signed git commits, and PGP-encrypted emails all use ASCII armor.
To create: `gpg --armor -e file.txt` produces `file.txt.asc` instead of `file.txt.gpg`. To decrypt: `gpg -d file.txt.asc`. The `--armor` flag is the only difference — the encryption strength is identical.