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format

(1) As a noun, the format is the structure, or layout, of an item.

Screen formats are the layout of fields on the screen.

Report formats are the columns, headers and footers on a page.

Record formats are the fields within a record.

File formats are the structure of program and data files. Each has its own headers, codes and rules for laying out the content. There are many different file structures for each kind of file, including executable programs, word processing documents, graphics files and databases. See graphics formats, extension, header, disk format and style sheet.

(2) As a verb, to initialize a storage medium (hard disk, CD-RW, etc.) to hold data. See format program.

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format

Computing

a. the defined arrangement of data encoded in a file or for example on magnetic disk or CD-ROM, essential for the correct recording and recovery of data on different devices

b. the arrangement of text on printed output or a display screen, or a coded description of such an arrangement

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format [′fȯr‚mat]

(computer science)

The specific arrangement of data on a printed page, display screen, or such, or in a record, data file, or storage device.

To prepare a disk to store information by using a special program that divides the disk into storage units such as tracks and sectors.

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1.	(storage)	format - disk format - to prepare a new, blank disk for writing.
2.	(operating system)	format - file format - how data is arranged in a specific type of file.