Every file that you use on your computer is processed and stored in a certain format. Data format, or file format, is a way of encoding the data and organizing it, so that it can be easily stored and accessed on a computer, and transferred to other devices when needed. Data formats help users to identify the type of information they are dealing with, and how they can access it on their devices.
Although a number of data formats are used for computing, an average computer user accesses only a few. The type of file we are accessing can be identified by the filename extension, which determines the file format. The filename extension is written after the filename and is preceded by the period or dot (.). For instance, a text file on a computer is saved as "ABC.txt", where txt is used to identify it as a text file.
When you save data in a particular format, the filename extension is displayed at the end. This allows you to differentiate between two different types of files with the same name. For instance, if a folder has two or more files with the name ABC, and the filename extension is not displayed, you would have to open each and every file till you find what you want. But when the extension is displayed, say ABC.txt or ABC.gif, you would know that one is a text file and other is an image file, and can open only the one you want.
Common filename extensions we use include .jpeg, .gif, .bmp, .png etc for images; .doc, .xls, .ppt, etc for Microsoft Office files; .mp3,.wav,.mp4 etc for audio files; and .avi, .mpeg, .mov etc for video files. |
