File Formats
File formats are standardized methods for encoding and organizing data in files, defining how information is stored, structured, and interpreted by software. They specify the layout, encoding, and metadata to ensure compatibility across different systems and applications. Common examples include text files (e.g., .txt), images (e.g., .jpg, .png), and documents (e.g., .pdf, .docx).
Developers should learn about file formats to handle data interchange, storage, and processing effectively in applications, such as when parsing configuration files, uploading user content, or exporting reports. Understanding formats like JSON, XML, or CSV is crucial for web APIs, data serialization, and interoperability between systems. Knowledge of binary formats (e.g., for images or videos) is essential for multimedia applications and performance optimization.