FFmpeg
FFmpeg is a free and open-source software project consisting of a suite of libraries and programs for handling video, audio, and other multimedia files and streams. It is widely used for transcoding, streaming, and manipulating media, supporting a vast array of codecs and formats. Its command-line tools, such as ffmpeg, ffprobe, and ffplay, enable tasks like format conversion, editing, and playback.
Developers should learn FFmpeg when building applications that involve video or audio processing, such as media servers, video editing software, or streaming platforms, due to its comprehensive codec support and flexibility. It is essential for tasks like converting media files between formats, extracting audio, resizing videos, or adding watermarks, making it a go-to tool for backend media workflows.