Custom theme creation template files

Hello Folks,

I’ve been searching out tutorials on making a custom WordPress theme, and studying the Default theme at the same time.

Outside of the main files, index.php, header.php, sidebar.php and footer.php, none of the tutorials mention the other files such as page.php, single.php, archive.php etc.,

Although I can see what these template files do, I can’t see how they are referenced anywhere in the main files! Does WordPress automatically use these templates if they are present in the theme?

Hope someone can advise,

Many thanks,

Myles