The Audio Interchange File Format (AIFF) is an audio file format standard used for storing sound data for personal computers and other electronic audio devices. Developed by Apple Inc. in 1988, AIFF is most commonly used on Apple Macintosh systems. The format is based on Electronic Arts' Interchange File Format (IFF) and is similar to the WAV format, which is widely used on Windows systems. AIFF files are uncompressed, meaning they retain the full fidelity of the original audio recording. This results in larger file sizes compared to compressed audio formats like MP3. AIFF supports various bit depths, sample rates, and channels, making it suitable for professional audio production and archiving. While AIFF is less common for general audio distribution due to its larger size, it remains a popular choice for audio editing, mastering, and storing high-quality audio data. AIFF files typically have a .aiff or .aif extension.