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File formats

File formats are types used to store data, defining the structure and compatibility with software. Generic file formats facilitate data exchange across devices, while non-generic formats require specific software. Various file types exist for images, videos, audio, text, and web development, each with unique characteristics and common uses.

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7 views10 pages

File formats

File formats are types used to store data, defining the structure and compatibility with software. Generic file formats facilitate data exchange across devices, while non-generic formats require specific software. Various file types exist for images, videos, audio, text, and web development, each with unique characteristics and common uses.

Uploaded by

forskul10
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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File formats

What are file formats?


File formats are the file types used to store the data in a file

File formats define the structure and organisation of the data in a file and
determine which software can be used to read the contents of the file

There are a variety of file formats used, depending on the type of file
being used

Generic file formats


Generic file formats are file types that are compatible and allow sharing
between different devices and software programs

Non-generic files are types that require special software or hardware to


be accessed

Generic file types are needed for the following reasons:

Allowing the exchange of data across different types of applications

They are widely adopted and therefore can be accessed by many users or
devices
Generic files can be created, edited and accessed across many different
devices

Characteristics & uses of file formats


Generic Images Files
Joint Photographic Expert Group (.jpg)

JPEG is a widely used image file format which uses the lossy
compression method

Significantly reduces file size while maintaining acceptable image


quality

JPEG files are commonly used for storing and transmitting digital
photographs

Portable Network Graphic (.png)

PNG uses lossless compression

PNGs preserve high-quality images whilst still providing small file sizes

Its transparency support allows its graphics to be placed into different


backgrounds easily
They are commonly used for:

web design

digital illustrations

logos

icons

Graphics Interchange Format (.gif)

Used for short, animated images and simple graphics

Use a lossless compression algorithm

Maintain high image quality while keeping file sizes small

Used in online platforms, including social media, messaging apps, and


websites

Generic Video Files


Moving pictures expert group layer 4 (.mp4)
A multimedia container rather than a single file format

Can be used for video, image, and audio types

Uses advanced compression techniques to achieve high-quality video


playback

The compression algorithm keeps file sizes relatively small

Popular for streaming and transferring videos online

Quicktime Movie (.mov)

A multimedia container format developed by Apple

Used for storing video, audio, and other media data

Can maintain excellent image quality while retaining smaller file sizes

Suitable for online streaming and local playback

Widely used in:


professional video editing

film production

multimedia projects

Generic Audio Files


Moving pictures expert group layer 3 (.mp3)

A popular audio file format known for its high-quality

Allows for a significant reduction in file size but minimal differences in


sound quality

Compatible with a wide range of devices and audio streaming platforms

Become the standard format for digital music distribution

Waveform File Audio format (.wav)

Uncompressed audio file format known for its high lossless quality
Preserves the original audio waveform.

Commonly used in:

music industry

broadcast

multimedia production

Generic Text Files


Text (.txt)

Used for storing plain text data

Contains only human-readable text without any additional formatting or


styling

Extensively supported across different platforms and applications

Can be opened and edited using a word processor or basic text editor

Rich Text Format (.rtf)


RTF is a file format used for storing formatted text documents that can
contain different text styles, fonts, colours, and other basic formatting
elements

RTF can be opened and edited using a wide range of text editors and
word processors, making them suitable for creating documents that
require basic formatting, such as letters, reports, and academic papers

Comma separated values (.csv)

A plain text file format used for storing data in a structured manner

Consist of rows and columns, with each cell separated by a comma

Widely supported

Easy to import and export data between different applications and


platforms

Commonly used for tasks involving data analysis, database management

Can be easily opened and edited using spreadsheet software

Portable Document Format (.pdf)


Widely used file format with its ability to retain the layout and
formatting of documents across a range of platforms

Documents contain text, images, graphics, and even interactive


elements.

Can be password-protected to stop unauthorised users from editing

Allows users to provide a digital signature feature acting as a digital


‘ink signature’

Generic Compressed Files


Zip (.zip)

A container used for compression

Allows multiple files and folders to be compressed into a single,


smaller-sized archive

Uses lossless compression algorithms to reduce file sizes

Roshal archive (.rar)


A container used for compression

Similar to .ZIP, however, it uses a proprietary compression algorithm

Generally results in higher compression ratios compared to other formats

Commonly used for sharing files over the internet and when space-
saving is essential

Generic Web Development & Browsing Files


Hypertext Markup Language (.html)

A global file format used for creating and structuring web pages

Contain text-based code that defines the structure, layout, and content of
a webpage

Rendered by web browsers, allowing users to view and interact with


web pages

Used across many different devices and platforms

Cascading Style Sheets (.css)


A file format that is attached to an HTML document

Used to determine presentation and styling such as colours, fonts, layout,


and positioning

Is widely used in web development to create responsive and attractive


designs

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