Optical disc image
| Filename extension |
.iso |
|---|---|
| Internet media type |
application/x-iso9660-image |
| Uniform Type Identifier (UTI) | public.iso-image |
| Type of format | Disk image |
| Standard | ISO 9660, UDF |
An ISO image is an archive file (also known as a disc image) of an optical disc in a format defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). This format is supported by many software vendors. ISO image files typically have a file extension of .iso. The name ISO is taken from the ISO 9660 file system used with CD-ROM media, but an ISO image can also contain a UDF file system since UDF is backward-compatible with ISO 9660.
Details
As with any other archive, an ISO image includes all the data of files contained on the archived BD or CD, or any other disc format.[1] They are stored in an uncompressed format. Any CD or DVD can be archived by .ISO format. It is a true digital copy of original.
These properties make it an attractive alternative to physical media for the distribution of software as it is simple to transfer over the Internet or via a LAN connection.
A valid ISO image is an uncompressed collection of various files merged into one single resulting file, according to definite and standard formatting.
The most important feature of an ISO image is that it can be easily rendered or burned to a BD, DVD or CD by using media authoring or disc burning software.[2] It can also be opened using any file archiver. ISO burning is now typically a native feature of modern home and business computer operating systems.
Hybrid formats include the ability to be read by different devices, operating systems, or hardware. In the past, one example of this was a disc that supported both Windows and Macintosh from one image. One recent example is the release of hybrid ISO files which can be booted or started from both BD or DVD and USB flash drive devices when the image is written to either of these storage devices.
See also
References