subject: Uses Of Iso Format [print this page] Once in a while, you come by with an ISO file and you just don't know what to do with it. It seems all new and when you try to open it, it only gives you a list of programs you wish to open this file with. People who have been with computers in a long time might not have seen this file either. So what is an .ISO file?
The ISO in iso file stands for an acronym that is partially, but not at all, related to what it does. ISO stands for the International Organization of Standardization, a group that sets almost all standards for the world's computers to follow. A standard is absolute, and usually cannot be changed. What the iso file is, is a cd image file. By image we do not mean a picture, but a facsimile. ISO files are heavy, as the most common media they copy are those of cds.
That is to say, ISO files are complete CD copies. The ISO file is a complete bit by bit copy which means that the content of the CD is exactly the same, without the interference of the handling OS. You get your CD in software format without the extras that are added by the operating system.
ISOs are most famous for archiving CDs. Over time, a lot of cds get damaged, stolen or lost. Vintage music cds, data cds, photo album cds, things like those. The user may opt to store these files in their computer so even if a CD becomes unworkable, you still have a working copy of it.
If you want to distribute these files over the internet, you can also do the same. ISOs are host site-friendly and can be easily downloaded again if the user wants to remotely retrieve his files. It's also the same with game software. Some games allow ISO switching, making the owner able to play a multitude of games without having to physically change the CD.
