File Format

A file format is a standard way in which information is encoded for storage in a computer file. It specifies how bits are used to encode information in a digital storage medium. File formats can be open standards, which are publicly available and can be used freely by anyone, or proprietary, which are controlled by a company or individual and require permission to use. Common examples include JPEG, known for its efficient compression and widespread use in digital photography; TIFF, favored in publishing and printing for its lossless quality; PNG, which supports transparency and is often used for web graphics; and GIF, popular for simple animations and web images. Each format has its own strengths and weaknesses, making them suitable for different purposes based on factors like quality, compression, and compatibility.