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IFF (EA Interchange File Format 1985)
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Format Description Properties
• ID: fdd000115
• Short name: IFF
• Content categories: sound, video, [others]
• Format category: file format
• Last significant update: 2006-09-06
• Draft status: Full
Identification and description
Full name | Electronic Arts Interchange File Format 1985 (EA IFF 85) |
Description | Generic wrapper format developed for data interchange and interoperability. |
Production phase | Various, depends upon application. |
Relationship to other formats | |
Supertype of | AIFF, Audio Interchange File Format |
Supertype of | DSDIFF_1_5, Direct Stream Digital Interchange File Format, Version 1.5 |
Supertype of | Wrappers for other applications, not documented here |
Local use
LC experience or existing holdings | None |
LC preference | None |
Sustainability factors
Disclosure | Fully documented. Developed by Electronic Arts. |
Documentation | EA documentation is provided online by various third parties. |
Adoption | Unknown to the compilers of this document; see also AIFF. |
Licensing and patent claims | None. |
Transparency |
Transparent wrapper. Transparency of bitstreams within subtypes varies;
for example, see LCPM and DSD. |
Self-documentation | The format includes headers and identifiers associated with various "chunks," as the elements within the file are called. These headers contain encoded information (as specified) used to characterize the chunk's role and characteristics. |
External dependencies | None |
Technical protection considerations | None known to the compilers of this document. |
Quality and functionality factors
Normal rendering | Not applicable |
Clarity (support for high image resolution) | Not applicable |
Fidelity (support for high audio resolution) | Not applicable |
Support for multiple sound channels | Not applicable |
Support for downloadable or user-defined sounds, samples, and patches | Not applicable |
Functionality beyond normal rendering | Not applicable |
File type signifiers
Tag type | Value | Note |
Filename Extension | Varies by application | |
Internet Media Type |
Varies by application | |
Magic numbers |
Varies by application | |
Forms and chunks |
Varies by application | For more information, see http://www.borg.com/~jglatt/tech/aboutiff.htm |
Notes
General | |
History | The format was brought to completion in 1985 by the electronic gaming company Electronic Arts; some of the information about IFF refers to the Commodore-Amiga computer company and three Commodore-Amiga staff members are listed as co-authors of a key piece of documentation. An outline of the history of Electronic Arts is provided by the Wikipedia.
The IFF format was influential and is cited as the source of ideas and approach by the creators of other tagged formats, e.g., RIFF and SMF. |
Format specifications
URLs
• IFF information. The 1985 specification, from a third party (http://http://www.martinreddy.net/gfx/2d/IFF.txt).
• EA IFF 85 Another copy of the 1985 specification. (http://www.szonye.com/bradd/iff.html)
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Useful references
URLs
•
Electronic Arts in Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_Arts).
•
About IFF (http://www.borg.com/~jglatt/tech/aboutiff.htm)
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Last Updated: 12/12/2007