Unit 1: Page 11: File Types Flashcards
What are file types used for?
Different file types are used to denote the forms or structure of the data stored within file.
What information does the file extension hold?
> The file extension tells the user what type of data the file should contain.
> It tells the operating system which icon to display and which software to use to open the file when the user double clicks the icon.
Name the four image file types.
> GIF
BMP
JPG
PNG
Describe GIF
Small file size, but low quality due to limited number of colours. Can display basic transparecy and animation .
Describe BMP
An uncompressed file format, so image quality is extremely high but file size is large.
Describe JPG
Good compression, although compression is lossy so files cannot be decompressed.
Describe PNG
Uses lossless compression to save high qualitty images in a low file size. Also allows transparency.
Name the 4 types of video file types.
> MOV
AVI
MP4
MKV
Describe an MOV file
> Designed for use with Apple QuickTime software, but it can be played using other software.
Can provide high quality but can also be compressed.
Good for streaming.
Describe an AVI file
> Uncompressed, so is very high quality but very large file size.
Not good for streaming
Describe an MP4 file
> Supports high - quality videos while still comperessing file size.
Works on a wide variety of devices and software
Describe an MP4 file
> Supports high - quality videos while still comperessing file size.
Works on a wide variety of devices and software
Describe an MKV file
> Supports high - quality video playback but is not well supported by some devices.
E.g ipads cannot play .mkv files
Name the 6 types of application software file types
> DOC and RTF
PDF
PPT
XLS
ODF
MDB and ACCDB
Describe an DOC and RTF
Commonly used file formats for documents created using word processing software
Describe a PDF
A format that represents data independently of the originating software and/or hardware
Describe a PPT
A common format for slideshows created using presentation software.
Describe an XLS
A common format for files created using spreadsheet software
Describe an ODF
An open source XML based formt used to represent office files such as spreadsheets, word processing, etc.
Describe MDB and ACCDB
Common file types for database software
What are the three implications of file types?
> Compatibility
Quality
FIle size
Describe what compatibilty is and how it may be an issue.
> Compatibility refers to some file types only work with certain software.
The issue with this is the user may need to purchase new software and also complicates sharing files with others who do not have the required software.
Describe what compatibiltiy is and how it my be an issue.
> Compatibility refers to some file types only work with certain software.
The issue with this is the user may need to purchase new software and also complicates sharing files with others who do not have the required software.
Describe what quality means and how it may be an issue.
> Quality refers to different image, video, and audio file types provide varying levels of quality.
The choice will depend on intended use of the files.
- e.g. Is high quality the priority or small file size
Describe what file size is and how it may be an issue.
> The file type affects the file size - some types are very effecient in the way they strore data whereas others use lots of storage space.
The file size may hve implications for storing, transmitting or displaying files.
