AIFF
AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format) is an uncompressed audio file format developed by Apple in 1988, based on the Electronic Arts Interchange File Format (IFF). It stores high-quality, lossless audio data, typically using Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) encoding, making it ideal for professional audio editing and archiving. The format supports metadata chunks for storing information like track titles and artist names.
Developers should learn AIFF when working in audio processing, music production, or multimedia applications that require high-fidelity, uncompressed audio, such as digital audio workstations (DAWs) or audio editing software. It is particularly useful in professional settings where audio quality is paramount, like mastering studios or archival projects, as it preserves the original sound without compression artifacts.