.html URL structure versus /directory/ url structure

I'm sure there is a thread around here that already covers this, but I couldn't find it in a search.

If someone knows of one, can you point me to it

My question is, can anybody layout the benefits/drawbacks between using a .html file structure with vbseo vs a /directory/ style URL structure.

I've been looking at a few vbseo sites and I've seen it done both ways, and I'm wondering if it's just a visual preference, or if there are actual benefits somewhere.

There is no proper conclusion which superceeds the other, but cleaner or good URIs do not have a / or .html in the end.

for example:
www.yourdomain.com/f2/html-url-structure-1024/
or
http://www.yourdomain.com/f2/html-ur...ture-1024.html

are quite ok compared to
www.yourdomain.com/1024/html-url-structure
This is what theory says, but practically its hard to believe..

Thanks...a follow up question.

If you have vbseo add the thread title to the URL, what happens if you need to change the thread title? Does it automatically change the URL?

Does it automatically change the URL?

yes it does, however I would recommend a feature here, if the thread is couple of days old URI should not change automatically.. (this should be a global setting).
Often there are threads in forums, which needs a title change.

Google

First result

This thread is 4 years old. There is still no proof that one ranks better than the other.

But, for the sake of future proofing, not using ANY extension is desired, as .html may cease to exist (much like cig-bin and .pl scripts from just a few years ago) in a few years.
Hypertext Style: Cool URIs don't change.

That would be nice to put in the inline help under rewrites in vBSEO CP as a tip for dummies who don't know any better...