File format
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A file format is a standardized way of encoding information for storage in a computer file. File formats define the structure and organization of data within a file, including how data is represented, stored, and interpreted by software applications. Different file formats are designed for specific types of data and serve various purposes, such as text documents, images, audio, video, and more. Each file format has its own specifications, features, and limitations, which determine its compatibility with different software programs and operating systems. Common examples of file formats include TXT for plain text documents, JPEG for images, MP3 for audio, and MP4 for video. File formats play a crucial role in facilitating data exchange, interoperability, and compatibility between different software applications and computing platforms.
- Snippet from Wikipedia: File format
A file format is the way that information is encoded for storage in a computer file. It may describe the encoding at various levels of abstraction including low-level bit and byte layout as well high-level organization such as markup and tabular structure. A file format may be standarized (which can be proprietary or open) or it can be an ad hoc convention.
Some file formats are designed for very particular types of data: PNG files, for example, store bitmapped images using lossless data compression. Other file formats, however, are designed for storage of several different types of data: the Ogg format can act as a container for different types of multimedia including any combination of audio and video, with or without text (such as subtitles), and metadata. A text file can contain any stream of characters, including possible control characters, and is encoded in one of various character encoding schemes. Some file formats, such as HTML, scalable vector graphics, and the source code of computer software are text files with defined syntaxes that allow them to be used for specific purposes.