RIFF
RIFF (Resource Interchange File Format) is a container format developed by Microsoft and IBM for storing multimedia data such as audio, video, and images in tagged chunks. It is based on the IFF (Interchange File Format) used on Amiga systems, adapted for Windows and other platforms. RIFF files organize data into structured chunks, each with a four-character code identifier and size, making them extensible and easy to parse.
Developers should learn RIFF when working with multimedia applications, especially in Windows environments, as it is the foundation for formats like WAV (audio) and AVI (video). It is essential for tasks involving audio/video file manipulation, such as reading, writing, or editing metadata in media files, and is widely used in legacy systems and tools. Understanding RIFF helps in handling low-level file structures and interoperability in multimedia projects.